KAYLEM LEWIS FROM HANLEY SENTENCED FOR GROOMING 12-YEAR-OLD IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In April 2018, a disturbing case of online grooming and predatory behavior came to light involving Kaylem Lewis, a 21-year-old resident of Bellingham Grove, Hanley. Lewis was convicted and subsequently sentenced to prison after he engaged in a series of inappropriate and manipulative communications with a 12-year-old girl from Stoke-on-Trent.

According to court proceedings, Lewis had obtained the young girl’s phone number, fully aware of her age, and began exchanging text messages with her. Initially, these messages appeared innocent, with Lewis sending her what the court described as 'innocuous' texts. However, the tone of their communication quickly shifted as the messages became increasingly sexualized. The court heard that Lewis told the girl he loved her and that they would 'make love soon,' a statement that revealed his predatory intentions.

The case was uncovered after the girl confided in a friend about the messages. The friend, concerned about the content, reported the situation to a school welfare officer. This led to the involvement of the police, who launched an investigation into the communications between Lewis and the young girl. Law enforcement officials examined both Lewis’s mobile phone and the victim’s device, uncovering a series of text messages that confirmed the allegations.

Prosecutor Sati Ruck detailed the nature of the messages, revealing that Lewis had purchased £10 worth of credit for the girl’s phone to maintain constant contact. The messages included inappropriate references, such as Lewis mentioning that he had recently split from his girlfriend to be with her, and explicitly stating that he wanted to be with her when she was older. Lewis also told her she was beautiful and expressed his love for her. At one point, he attempted to touch her bottom during a walk, further demonstrating his predatory behavior. He also urged her not to tell anyone about their conversations, warning that he would get into trouble because of her age. On one occasion, Lewis even invited her to his house, but she refused.

The court heard that these messages were exchanged over a two-week period during January and February. Lewis’s actions and words clearly indicated grooming behavior, which the court described as a serious offense. The defendant’s guilty plea to causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity was accepted by the court. It was also revealed that Lewis had a prior conviction for assault, adding to the seriousness of his criminal record.

Judge David Fletcher sentenced Lewis to 27 months in prison, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. The judge stated, “There is no doubt you knew what her age was, and from almost the outset you knew what you were doing was wrong. This was clear grooming behaviour.” In addition to the prison sentence, Lewis was handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, which will restrict his future contact with children and serve as a safeguard against further offenses. The case highlights the ongoing concerns about online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable minors from predatory individuals.