INNOCENT 12-YEAR-OLD GROOMED AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY MATTHEW SOUTHREN IN INGLEBY BARWICK AND YORK

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Matthew Southren, a 19-year-old man from Ingleby Barwick, was convicted of grooming and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl. The incident unfolded over social media platforms, beginning with messages exchanged on Snapchat, where Southren initially misrepresented his age to the young girl. According to court proceedings, Southren claimed to be 15 or 16 years old, while in reality, he was 18 at the time.

It was in January that the communication between Southren and the girl started, with the defendant gradually building a rapport. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, initially told Southren she was 14, but two days later, she disclosed her true age of 12. Despite the significant age difference, Southren persisted in his attempts to meet her in person.

The first meeting was arranged in a York suburb, where Southren traveled to a secluded field. Upon arrival, he kissed the girl before sexually assaulting her. The girl, feeling uncomfortable, pretended to be busy on her mobile phone to avoid further contact. During this encounter, Southren attempted to get her to touch him inappropriately, but she pulled away, shouting at him and questioning his actions.

Following this traumatic experience, the girl deactivated her Snapchat account. However, Southren reinitiated contact through Facebook, where his profile indicated he was 18 years old. Despite the initial assault, the girl agreed to meet him again two weeks later in the same location after he called her requesting a second meeting. During this second encounter, she was accompanied by a friend, and Southren once again sexually assaulted her.

The victim confided in her mother, which led to police involvement. Southren was arrested at his residence in York on February 24 and faced multiple charges, including three counts of sexual assault on a girl under 13 and one count of inciting sexual activity with an underage girl. He admitted to all charges during his court appearance.

Prosecutor Nick Adlington detailed the case, emphasizing that Southren and the girl had begun messaging on Snapchat in January. The court heard that Southren had lied about his age, claiming to be 15 or 16, while he was actually 18. The girl initially told him she was 14 but later revealed her true age of 12. The first meeting, arranged via Snapchat, culminated in a sexual assault after Southren kissed her in the fields. The girl was visibly distressed and tried to avoid further contact, but Southren persisted.

During the second meeting, which took place two weeks later, the girl was with a friend. Southren again sexually assaulted her, and the incident was reported to authorities. The court was told that Southren’s actions had a profound impact on the young girl, with Judge Paul Worlsey QC condemning his behavior. The judge highlighted that, despite Southren’s immaturity and previously clean record, his awareness of the girl’s age made his actions particularly egregious.

In sentencing, Southren received a two-year prison term. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subjected to a sexual-harm prevention order for the same duration. The case underscores the dangers of online grooming and the importance of safeguarding minors from exploitation and abuse.