SCOTT APPLETON FROM DURHAM SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRLS

In April 2005, a disturbing case emerged involving Scott Appleton, a 32-year-old man from the Durham area, who was found to have engaged in a series of heinous acts targeting underage girls. The court heard that Appleton had systematically groomed young girls, aged between 12 and 15, through his active participation in amateur dramatics groups, a setting that he exploited to establish inappropriate relationships.

Prosecutors revealed that Appleton cultivated these relationships over time, communicating with the girls through numerous letters, hundreds of phone calls, and text messages. These interactions gradually became more suggestive and inappropriate, with Appleton targeting girls who appeared to have low self-esteem, often complimenting their appearance to gain their trust. Evidence presented in court indicated that he had formed a pattern of befriending vulnerable young girls, some of whom he later engaged in sexual activities with.

Further details uncovered during the trial indicated that some of these sexual encounters took place when Appleton’s girlfriend was away at work, and others occurred during parties held at his residence. It was also revealed that Appleton had filmed some of these sexual acts, adding a disturbing layer to his misconduct. When authorities arrested him, they discovered that he had downloaded hundreds of indecent images of children from the internet, including 40 images classified in the most serious categories of child exploitation material.

During the court proceedings, Julie Clemitson, the prosecutor, stated that Appleton’s manipulative behavior extended to giving three of the girls teddy bears after engaging in sexual acts with them. She also highlighted that he did not use protection during these encounters, one of which resulted in a girl experiencing a pregnancy scare. The court was told that Appleton’s actions were calculated and predatory, aimed at exploiting young girls for his own gratification.

In mitigation, Stephen Rich expressed remorse on behalf of Appleton, stating that the defendant wished to apologize to all those he had hurt. Despite this, the court found the evidence of his misconduct to be grave. Appleton pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including four counts of indecent assault, three counts of inciting girls under 13 to commit indecent acts, possession of indecent images of children, making indecent images of a child (15 counts), and perverting the course of justice.

Judge Maurice Carr sentenced Appleton to a total of seven and a half years in prison. The judge also imposed strict restrictions, including a ban on working with children and a 15-year period of contact restrictions, emphasizing the severity of his predatory behavior. Additionally, Appleton was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, marking a significant step in safeguarding potential future victims and highlighting the gravity of his crimes committed within the Durham community.