KEITH WAPSHOTT SENTENCED IN SHREWSBURY FOR ONLINE GROOMING OF 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In March 2016, a man named Keith Wapshott was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of grooming a 13-year-old girl online. Wapshott, who resides on Logan Way in Livingston, West Lothian, will also be required to register as a sex offender for ten years.

The court heard that Wapshott met the girl, from Shropshire, through an internet forum designed for individuals contemplating self-harm. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, maintained communication with Wapshott via messaging over the course of a year. Prosecutor Mr. Stephen Thomas explained, "Over the course of that time the defendant talked and comforted her about the various issues she had and pretended to be a friend of hers while all the time he had sexual motives."

During their online exchanges, Wapshott encouraged the girl to expose herself on webcam on multiple occasions. Although he did not have a webcam himself, he sent her lewd images of himself. Eventually, the girl recognized the troubling nature of her interactions with Wapshott. She looked him up online, discovered he had a daughter, and then decided to report him to the authorities.

Wapshott admitted to law enforcement that he had initially joined the forum due to his mental health struggles and a desire to help others. Mr. Thomas commented that these factors contributed to his grooming behavior but noted that Wapshott did not attempt to conceal his identity.

During the sentencing, Judge Robin Onions highlighted that Wapshott had targeted a "vulnerable" child for his own sexual gratification. The judge stated he could not suspend the sentence and emphasized, "The message has to go out that those who behave as you do with young victims are likely to lose their liberty."

In addition to his prison term, Wapshott was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register and a sexual harm prevention order was imposed, both lasting ten years. Furthermore, he is permanently barred from working with children.

Mr. Keith Thomas, representing Wapshott, noted that there was no physical contact involved in the offenses and explained that Wapshott’s psychological state was impacted by the recent loss of both his parents, which led him to seek solace online. Nonetheless, the court sent a clear message about the seriousness of such offenses and the consequences for those involved.