DERBY MAN LUKE STAINTHORNE SENTENCED FOR ABUSING YOUNG GIRLS IN DERBY

In a case that has shocked the local community in Derby, Luke Stainforth, a young man with a troubling history, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing three underage girls. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about how Stainforth, who was just 18 years old at the time, used online platforms to establish relationships with his victims before exploiting their trust.

According to court reports, Stainforth befriended the girls through the internet, specifically on MSN Messenger, where he gradually gained their confidence. Over time, he persuaded them to meet in person, leading to a series of sexual encounters. One of the victims, who was only 13 when the grooming began in October of the previous year, was subjected to sexual activity with Stainforth approximately 35 to 40 times. The other two victims, both aged 14, also came forward after discovering that Stainforth was seeing more than one of them simultaneously, which added to the distress and betrayal they experienced.

During the sentencing at Derby Crown Court, Judge Andrew Hamilton addressed Stainforth directly, condemning his manipulative behavior. He stated, “You targeted these young girls because you knew you could appeal to their basic childlike innocence. You were able to seduce them and get your evil way with them. You manipulated them. When the opportunity arose, you put pressure on them and seduced them. Custody is the only option. I think it is going to be a horrifying experience for you.”

The court was also informed that Stainforth, who resided on Macklin Street in Derby, was a father of one and had a deeply troubling past, having impregnated a girl when he was only 13 years old. His victims, all known to him but protected by legal restrictions from being named publicly, came forward after they realized he was involved with more than one girl at the same time.

Prosecutor Jonathan Straw detailed the grooming process, emphasizing the initial contact in October of the previous year. He explained, “They began chatting on MSN and he told her he had really liked her for a long time and that they should go out with each other. They met at his house and had sex, which continued on a regular basis.”

In mitigation, defense lawyer Balraj Singh Bhatia described Stainforth as “an extremely immature man” with “poor thinking skills” and lacking a social circle of peers his own age. Bhatia argued that Stainforth was “not a predator” and warned that he would face a difficult time inside the young offenders’ institution.

Stainforth was sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ institution and was ordered to refrain from contacting the victims. He was also prohibited from seeking the company of anyone under 16 without supervision and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of 10 years, marking a significant step in the justice system’s effort to protect vulnerable minors in Derby.