Bedford man jailed for grooming teenage girl and possession of indecent images

BEDFORD MAN JAILED FOR GROOMING TEENAGE GIRL AND POSSESSION OF INDECENT IMAGES

A 37-year-old Bedford man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to several sexual offences.

The offences include grooming a teenage girl and possessing indecent images of children.

Shane Gibson, who resides on Wadsworth Court, was arrested following reports that he sent sexualized messages to a young girl, such as offering to pay for her taxi so she could visit him and asking if she would have sex with him.

He also transmitted explicit videos of himself via Facebook.

During the investigation, Bedfordshire Police’s Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team found additional evidence on Gibson’s devices, including indecent images of children and extreme pornography.

Gibson admitted to six charges: causing a child to watch a sex act, facilitating or arranging a child sex offence, making three indecent images of children, and possessing extreme pornography.

He was sentenced on April 25th and is now subject to a restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Michela Zasada from Bedfordshire Police commented that Gibson had shown "clear intent to sexually abuse a child" and demonstrated "a total disregard" for the victim’s age.

The police emphasize the increasing online reports of such crimes and urge parents to be vigilant, talking openly with their children about online safety.

Victims are encouraged to come forward regardless of when the abuse occurred, and Bedfordshire Police offers support through specially trained officers.

Additional resources are available via the force’s #ENDGAME campaign.