WIGAN MAN GARY SPAIN SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND TRAVELING TO AMERICA TO MEET UNDERAGE GIRL
In a case that has shocked the community of Wigan, Gary Spain, a man with a disturbing history of online predatory behavior, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after his attempts to meet an underage girl in America came to light.The incident highlights the dangers of online grooming and the serious consequences faced by those who engage in such criminal activities.
Spain, who resides on Springfield Road in Wigan, was found guilty of multiple serious offenses related to child exploitation.
His crimes include secretly collecting indecent images of young girls, amassing a large collection of child sexual abuse videos and photographs, and attempting to meet a minor in the United States for sexual purposes.
The court heard that Spain’s actions spanned several years, beginning in 2008 when he first started communicating with the girl in America via online chats while she was just 13 years old.
According to evidence presented at Liverpool Crown Court, authorities raided Spain’s home on April 23 of the previous year.
During the search, officers seized various electronic devices, including computers, mobile phones, and memory cards.
Forensic analysis of these devices uncovered more than 26,000 indecent images of children, with 3,363 classified as the most serious category.
Among these images were photographs of a 13-year-old girl in America, along with images and videos of two other young girls in the UK, all of which Spain had taken or collected.
Prosecutor Arthur Gibson detailed the extent of Spain’s online activities, revealing that he had engaged in explicit webcam chats with the American girl, beginning in 2008 when she was 13.
During these interactions, Spain requested sexual photographs from her.
When she refused, he allegedly threatened to inform her mother about the images she had already sent.
The investigation further uncovered that Spain flew to the United States, hired a car, and traveled to meet the girl in person, threatening that he would visit her home and speak to her mother if she did not agree to meet him.
Spain’s criminal record also includes allegations of sexually assaulting another child aged between five and ten, as well as engaging in voyeurism involving two other girls.
He pleaded guilty to ten charges, including taking and possessing indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornographic material, and attempting to meet a minor for sexual purposes.
His guilty plea was entered in October 2016, and he was remanded in custody to await sentencing scheduled for December 8.
Judge Robert Warnock described Spain as a “dangerous paedophile” and emphasized the severity of his actions.
He sentenced Spain to eight-and-a-half years in prison, with an extended license period of five years, bringing the total potential custodial period to over 13 years.
The judge also noted that Spain’s victims had been left feeling “betrayed, angry and sad,” underscoring the profound impact of his crimes.
The court’s decision reflects the serious nature of online grooming, child exploitation, and the risks posed by individuals like Spain who seek to prey on vulnerable minors through digital means.
