RYAN BLAKEMORE FROM SILEBY SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN LEICESTER

In a serious case that highlights the dangers of online grooming, Ryan Blakemore, a 21-year-old man from Sileby, was sentenced to a total of 30 months in prison for engaging in criminal activities involving a 12-year-old girl. The court proceedings took place at Leicester Crown Court, where Blakemore pleaded guilty to charges of inciting a child under the age of 13 to participate in pornography and to engage in sexual activities.

Authorities have taken additional steps to prevent further harm by issuing a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) against Blakemore. Furthermore, he will be registered on the Sex Offenders Register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes. The case was brought to light after police investigations revealed a disturbing pattern of online misconduct that spanned nearly a year.

Between January and November 2011, Blakemore initiated a series of conversations with a young girl on a social networking platform. During this period, he repeatedly sent her indecent images of himself, attempting to persuade her to reciprocate by sharing similar explicit photos. Despite the girl clearly stating her age, Blakemore continued to engage her with graphic images and inappropriate sexual language. As a result of his persistent requests, the girl eventually sent him several indecent photographs of herself.

Detective Constable Jenny Tattersall, who led the investigation, emphasized the manipulative tactics employed by Blakemore. She stated, “Despite this young girl making her age clear to Blakemore, he sent her graphic images and engaged her in conversations using inappropriate sexual language. People like Blakemore often prey on the vulnerability of young girls who don’t always have the ability to say no or fully understand someone’s true intentions. He used his persuasion over 11 months to gradually talk her round, and unfortunately, she did not have the strength to tell someone what was happening.”

Authorities have expressed concern that Blakemore may have contacted other potential victims using the same methods. To aid in ongoing investigations, police have released a photograph of Blakemore that he used on his social media profiles, including Facebook. They urge anyone who believes they may have been targeted or contacted by him to come forward and assist in the investigation.

In August 2012, police publicly released an image of Blakemore, which was used on his online profiles, as part of their efforts to identify and apprehend individuals involved in similar offences. The court's decision to imprison Blakemore underscores the serious nature of his crimes and the importance of safeguarding children from online predators. The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with social networking sites and the need for strict age restrictions and vigilant monitoring to protect vulnerable minors from exploitation.