JAMES BINGHAM EXETER PERVERTED ONLINE SCHEMES WITH SCHOOLGIRLS
In June 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving James Bingham, a 19-year-old barman from Exeter, who was convicted and subsequently sentenced for a series of heinous online sexual offenses involving underage girls.The case drew significant attention due to the nature of his crimes and the location where they took place.
According to court reports, Bingham engaged in grooming behaviors with three schoolgirls, some of whom he met in person while others he contacted through online chat rooms and social media platforms.
His interactions quickly turned sinister as he persuaded two of these young girls to perform sexual acts on webcam for him, exploiting their innocence and trust.
The court was told that Bingham’s actions were not limited to online coercion; he also exposed himself to all three victims, including a girl who was only 13 years old at the time.
The police investigation revealed a disturbing collection of evidence, including the discovery of over a hundred child abuse images stored on Bingham’s computer.
When authorities raided his residence, which he shared with his grandparents in Exeter, they seized two laptops containing chat logs from Skype.
These logs showed that Bingham began requesting sexually explicit images from the girls shortly after establishing contact, with the victims being aged between 13 and 15.
The youngest girl, who was just 13, was the only one to refuse his explicit demands, later describing his messages as “creepy” during police interviews.
Further examination of Bingham’s devices uncovered 112 indecent images and videos, with more than 20 classified as the most serious category of child exploitation material.
Despite his admission of guilt, Bingham failed to notify authorities about his offenses after an earlier court hearing, where he was ordered to register as a sex offender.
His criminal activities included four counts of inciting a child to produce pornography, two counts of causing children to watch sexual acts, seven counts of making or distributing indecent images, and a breach of the sex offenders’ register.
During the sentencing at Exeter Crown Court, Judge Erik Salomonsen sentenced Bingham to two and a half years in prison.
The judge emphasized the lack of any emotional connection in Bingham’s conduct, stating, “It is clear to me there was no emotion or affection.
You were doing this simply for sexual gratification.
These offences involved three separate girls, and you clearly have a sexual interest in young girls.
It was abusive conduct on your part.” Prosecutor Miss Bathsheba Cassel outlined the details of the case, noting that Bingham initially met one girl in person before engaging in online conversations, and the others he contacted solely through the internet.
In every instance, he steered the conversations toward sexual topics.
He falsely claimed to be the same age as the girls, who were 13 and 15, and performed sexual acts on webcam himself, then asked the girls to do the same during Skype video calls.
The 13-year-old victim refused his advances and later told police that his messages had become “creepy.” Defense lawyer Mr.
James Calderbank argued that Bingham’s actions should not be compared to more serious offenders who exploit girls for financial gain or distribute obscene material on a larger scale.
He described the case as more akin to a young boy taking selfies on his computer, emphasizing that Bingham was only 17 at the time of the offenses and had admitted his guilt immediately after police raided his grandfather’s home.
The lawyer also highlighted that Bingham had struggled academically but was working at a Coop shop and studying for an NVQ at the Lamb Inn, where he was employed.
Overall, the case underscores the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable minors from exploitation, especially in localities such as Exeter where these disturbing events unfolded.
