MICHAEL WOOD FROM ST HELENS SENTENCED FOR GROOMING TEEN AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN DARWEN

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of St Helens and surrounding areas, Michael Wood, a 34-year-old man from Cavan Drive, was found guilty of grooming a teenage girl and subsequently engaging in sexual activity with her. The incident unfolded after Wood initiated contact with the girl, who was only 15 years old at the time, through social media platform Twitter in December 2015.

According to police reports, Wood was fully aware of the girl’s underage status when he reached out to her online. Despite knowing she was a minor, he continued to groom her, cultivating a relationship that was clearly predatory in nature. The authorities emphasized that Wood’s intentions were solely to facilitate a sexual encounter, and he traveled from his residence in St Helens to Darwen to carry out his malicious plans.

The court proceedings revealed that Wood’s actions were deliberate and calculated. On Thursday, January 4, at Preston Crown Court, he admitted to three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child. His admission led to a sentencing of three years in prison. The case has garnered significant attention due to the serious nature of the crimes and the vulnerability of the victim involved.

Detective Constable Sal Yusaf expressed the police department’s stance on the verdict, stating, “We welcome the sentence. Wood targeted a vulnerable teenage girl and groomed her for the purposes of meeting her and having sex with her. He clearly knew she was underage when he contacted her and when the sexual activity started but that didn’t stop him. He was aware that the victim was infatuated with him and he used her to satisfy his perverted sexual desires.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Wood was subjected to a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his future interactions and prevent any further harm. He was also placed on the sex offenders register, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from predatory individuals in the community.