GEORGE HERITAGE FROM NORTHAMPTON JAILED FOR PREDATORY SEXUAL GROOMING OF YOUNG GIRLS ON FACEBOOK
In a disturbing case that has shocked the Northampton community, 21-year-old George Heritage has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with two underage girls, whom he had groomed through social media messaging on Facebook.Heritage appeared before Northampton Crown Court to face multiple serious charges, including two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual acts, and meeting a child following sexual grooming.
The court was told that Heritage’s criminal behavior was methodical and predatory, targeting vulnerable young girls through online communication.
The investigation revealed that Heritage initially made contact with his first victim by befriending her on Facebook.
Prosecutor Mark Van Der Swart explained that Heritage persuaded the young girl to skip school so they could meet in person.
On the day of the planned meeting, Heritage visited her home when she was alone and began to touch her inappropriately.
Despite her apparent reluctance, Heritage proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her.
This abuse came to light after the girl confided in a staff member at her school, leading to Heritage’s arrest in January 2014.
While on bail for the initial charges, Heritage did not cease his predatory behavior.
Instead, he made contact with a second girl through Facebook messages.
He again persuaded her to meet him and invited her to his house when his parents were away.
However, the girl’s mother grew suspicious and checked her daughter’s Facebook account.
She discovered over 800 messages exchanged with Heritage, many of which contained sexually explicit content.
The mother then contacted her daughter and instructed her to come home immediately.
Prosecutor Van Der Swart emphasized that if the girl’s mother had not intervened, the sexual activity would have likely taken place or at least been attempted.
The court heard that Heritage’s continued contact and grooming efforts demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory behavior aimed at vulnerable teenagers.
Judge Lynne Tayton, delivering the sentence, expressed her concern about Heritage’s ongoing risk to young girls.
She described his actions as exhibiting a “significant risk” of causing serious sexual harm.
The judge criticized Heritage for continuing his offending behavior despite being on bail, stating, “In my view, you exhibited a pattern of predatory behaviour in which you targeted vulnerable young girls.
When you were bailed, this should have stopped you in your tracks, but you continued on a similar course of behaviour.” As part of his sentence, Heritage was ordered to serve five years in prison, with an extended licence period of three years.
He will serve two-thirds of his sentence before being released on licence and will be required to sign the sex offender register indefinitely.
Additionally, Heritage was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120, reflecting the court’s recognition of the harm caused by his actions.
