RALPH STOKES FROM BARNOLDSWICK SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL GROOMING AND ABDUCTION OF 14-YEAR-OLD IN BARNOLDSWICK

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Barnoldswick, Ralph Stokes, aged 31, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after being found guilty of grooming a 14-year-old girl for sexual purposes and attempting to abduct her. The incident, which unfolded in May 2012, involved a series of alarming communications and actions that highlighted the dangers posed by online predators.

According to court reports, Stokes, a convicted sex offender with a history of child sexual offenses, initiated contact with the young girl through Facebook, a popular social networking site. Over time, their online conversations became increasingly sexual in nature. The court heard that Stokes had sent the girl messages that suggested a desire for sexual activity, and he discussed intimate details with her, including her being naked on his bed and questions about her experiences with boys. Prosecutors revealed that he also indicated he had condoms and implied that sex could occur.

Despite the escalation in their online interactions, Stokes was arrested before any physical contact could take place. The girl’s concerned friend had alerted her mother about the suspicious messages, prompting her to review the girl’s Facebook account. It was through this review that her mother discovered the troubling messages from Stokes, leading to his immediate arrest.

Stokes, who resides on Queen Street in Barnoldswick, had previously served a three-year prison sentence in 2006 for sexually assaulting a child under 13 and inciting sexual activity. As a result of his past offenses, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. In this recent case, he admitted to charges of child abduction and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The court imposed a 10-year registration requirement and a sexual offences prevention order that prohibits any unsupervised contact with children under 16.

During the court proceedings, Hugh Barton, the prosecutor, detailed how Stokes had discussed the girl being naked on his bed and asked her about her sexual experiences. He also bought vodka for the girl, took her to his house, and they stayed there for three hours. Court evidence revealed that Stokes offered her alcohol, asked her to kiss him, and made threatening remarks about ripping off her tights if she continued to resist his advances.

Defense attorney Martin Hackett argued that there had been no sexual contact between Stokes and the girl, attempting to mitigate the severity of the charges. However, Judge Andrew Woolman was clear in his assessment, stating that he was convinced Stokes’s actions were aimed at engaging the girl in some form of sexual activity.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Woolman emphasized the seriousness of the case, underscoring the defendant’s predatory behavior and the potential harm inflicted on the young victim. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially when they target vulnerable minors through online platforms.