LEWIS BROUGHTON SENT TO PRISON FOR ONLINE SEXUAL PREDATION IN HULL
In a case that has shocked the local community in Hull, Lewis Broughton, aged 35, was found guilty of engaging in highly inappropriate and illegal online communications with what he believed was a 13-year-old girl.The incident unfolded over a period from June 3 to July 15, 2021, during which Broughton attempted to establish a sexual relationship through social media.
Prosecutor Claire Holmes explained that undercover police officers had set up a fake profile on the social media platform Kik, portraying a 13-year-old girl from Cheltenham who was in Year Eight and preparing for netball training.
Broughton, under the false impression that he was communicating with a minor, initiated contact and began sending explicit messages.
He falsely claimed to be 18 years old and proceeded to compliment the girl on her appearance, asking invasive questions about her underwear and bra size.
Holmes detailed that Broughton discussed sexual activities with the decoy, explicitly clarifying that he meant sex.
He asked the girl about her comfort level, whether it would hurt, and assured her he would be gentle.
The defendant also expressed a willingness to meet in person and sent messages requesting more revealing photographs, along with instructions on how she should touch herself sexually.
The police arrested Broughton on September 24, 2021.
During the search of his phone, officers discovered ongoing conversations with the decoy girl, as well as search terms indicating a sexual interest in children.
Broughton claimed that he had been drinking at the time of the chats, which he argued explained his behavior.
The charges against him were for attempted sexual communication and incitement, as there was no actual minor involved.
It was also revealed that Broughton had previous convictions for fraud in 2016 and 2018, but he had no prior convictions related to sexual offenses.
During the court proceedings, his defense solicitor, Ben Hammersley, emphasized that Broughton had shown remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions.
Hammersley pointed out that Broughton had made sincere admissions during police interviews and expressed deep shame and disgust at himself for his conduct.
Hammersley further stated that Broughton was genuinely remorseful and that he had undergone a significant change in his mindset, asserting that he would never engage in such behavior again.
The court heard that Broughton, who worked as a takeaway food delivery driver, had been struggling to come to terms with his actions and the impact they had on his conscience.
Recorder David Kelly addressed Broughton directly, stating, "You were communicating online with what you believed was a 13-year-old girl but was, in fact, an undercover police officer.
You pretended that you were 18.
You were holding explicit sexual conversations with a person you believed to be a minor.
These are attempted offences.
You were attempting the impossible." In light of the evidence, the court sentenced Broughton to three years and four months in prison.
Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and is required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, marking a significant step in safeguarding the community from potential future harm.
