SHANE BROOKS FROM BURTONWOOD ESCAPES JAIL AFTER GROOMING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN CHESTER

In November 2016, a man from Burtonwood named Shane Brooks was spared immediate imprisonment after engaging in a disturbing case of grooming involving a vulnerable 13-year-old girl. Brooks, aged 20 and residing on Spurling Road in Burtonwood, appeared before Chester Crown Court last Friday to face charges related to his inappropriate conduct towards the young girl he met through social media.

Brooks pleaded guilty to two serious charges: meeting a child under the age of 16 following sexual grooming and engaging in sexual activity with a person under 16. The case revealed that the relationship between Brooks and the girl was initiated via Facebook, where he first made contact by commenting positively on one of her posts, complimenting her appearance. Prosecutor Michael Whitty detailed how the grooming process unfolded, emphasizing that Brooks maintained ongoing communication through Facebook messages and text exchanges.

According to the prosecution, Brooks inquired about whether the girl had a boyfriend, to which she responded that she was only 13. Their communication persisted over a period of time, during which the defendant and the victim exchanged messages that included kisses and hugs. The court heard that Brooks engaged in physical contact with the girl, touching her all over her body, including her legs and bottom, and even described his arousal during these encounters. Furthermore, Brooks instructed the girl on what to wear, specifically suggesting that leggings were easier to remove, which indicated a predatory intent.

The case took a further disturbing turn when the girl took photographs of herself, some of which were of a sexual nature, raising concerns about the extent of Brooks’s inappropriate influence. The arrest came on August 4, after an adult individual noticed the Facebook messages and reported the matter to authorities, leading to Brooks’s detention.

During sentencing, Judge Patrick Thompson addressed Brooks directly, acknowledging the seriousness of his actions but also recognizing his apparent efforts to reform. The judge stated that Brooks was given an opportunity to change his life, emphasizing that the victim was a vulnerable child whom Brooks effectively groomed. The judge noted that Brooks had met the girl in person, involving physical contact and touching, which could have led to more severe consequences had the situation escalated further.

Judge Thompson expressed cautious optimism about Brooks’s prospects for rehabilitation, highlighting that he was only 20 years old and still young enough to have his behavior challenged and changed. The court acknowledged that Brooks had made efforts to avoid repeating such conduct and believed he was willing to change. As a result, the judge decided against immediate custody, opting instead to give Brooks a second chance.

Brooks was sentenced to a two-year suspended prison term, with the court emphasizing that the most beneficial course of action for the public would be for him to participate in a sex offenders treatment program. This sentence was intended to provide Brooks with an opportunity to address his behavior and prevent future offending, while also serving as a warning about the serious consequences of grooming and sexual misconduct involving minors.