KEVIN COOMBES FROM CRANMORE INVOLVED IN DISTURBING ONLINE INCIDENTS WITH 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In June 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving Kevin Coombes, a resident of Cranmore, who engaged in inappropriate online communication with a young girl aged just 13. The incident drew significant attention due to the nature of the messages and the impact on the victim.

Coombes, aged 34 and residing on Cook Lane at the time, used his Facebook account to send a series of anonymous messages via the social networking platform Ask.fm. This site has been linked to numerous high-profile cases involving teenage bullying and tragic suicides, raising concerns about its safety and the potential for misuse.

The messages from Coombes included bizarre and unsettling requests, such as asking the girl to meet him in a local park at 5 pm. When she did not show up, he inquired about her absence, which heightened the concern. As the messages continued, they became increasingly strange, with sexual overtones and suggestions that suggested a deeper, inappropriate interest. Coombes claimed that he enjoyed wearing skirts when engaging in sexual activity with his partner and asked the girl if she would help him dress up in women’s clothing, even suggesting she could help him put it on in secret.

These messages caused significant distress to the young girl, who confided in a female friend about her fears. She became increasingly scared to go outside alone, worried about her appearance and her safety. The situation escalated to the point where police were involved. Authorities traced Coombes through his email address, leading to his arrest and subsequent questioning.

During police interviews, Coombes admitted to sending the messages but claimed he did not understand why he did it, insisting that his actions were not sexual in nature. He explained that his only contact with the girl was through Facebook and that he had been expecting police to contact him. He also revealed that he liked to wear skirts when he had sex with his partner, which he described as a personal preference rather than anything criminal.

At the court hearing, District Judge Lynne Mathews described Coombes’ behavior as “disturbing” and noted the significant effect it had on the young girl. The judge emphasized that her fear of going outside and her discomfort were direct consequences of Coombes’ actions. She remarked that his behavior was “curious” and “creepy,” and expressed concern about the psychological impact on the victim. The judge also acknowledged that since Coombes’ identity was revealed, he had kept away from the area, alleviating some worries for the girl.

Coombes pleaded guilty to charges of sending grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing messages via a public electronic communications network between May 25 and July 4 of the previous year. The court sentenced him to a 12-month community order, requiring him to complete 180 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, a five-year restraining order was issued, prohibiting him from having any contact—direct or indirect—with the victim. He was also ordered to pay her £250 in compensation, along with £85 in court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Daffyd Paxton highlighted the dangers associated with Ask.fm, noting its recent negative publicity related to online bullying and teenage suicides. He explained that Coombes’ contact with the girl involved anonymous messages, including an invitation to meet in a car park and urging her to keep their communication secret. The messages became increasingly bizarre, involving discussions about wearing skirts and allowing a boy to wear her clothing, with suggestions that she could help him put on her clothes in private.

When questioned by police, Coombes admitted to the messages but claimed he was not aware of their sexual nature. He stated that he had been expecting police contact and that his only interaction with the girl was through Facebook. He also revealed that his interest in wearing skirts was related to his sexual activity with his partner, not any malicious intent.

The victim, meanwhile, expressed her fear and discomfort, stating that she felt harassed and anxious about going outside, especially concerning her clothing and attending school. Her feelings of intimidation and unease were directly linked to the messages she received from Coombes.

Defence solicitor John Killah argued that Coombes had no intention of approaching the girl again and emphasized that cross-dressing, in itself, was not a criminal offense. He acknowledged that the messages were disturbing and menacing but maintained that there was no evidence of sexual intent. He also noted that Coombes had accepted responsibility for his actions and understood their seriousness.

As the case concluded, the court scheduled a further hearing for March 2014, where Coombes was due to face trial on unrelated matters. Until then, he was released on conditional bail, with strict conditions preventing him from contacting the victim or visiting her residence. The case underscored ongoing concerns about online safety and the potential for misuse of social media platforms by individuals with inappropriate intentions.