SIMON BROOKS FROM CULCHETH JAILED FOR GROOMING SCHOOLGIRL IN NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Simon Brooks, a swimming instructor from Culcheth, has been sentenced to prison for grooming a 14-year-old girl he coached at a swimming club in Newton-le-Willows. The incident, which came to light in May 2019, involved Brooks bombarding the young girl with hundreds of sexually explicit messages over a period of three months, attempting to manipulate her into meeting him for sexual favors.

Brooks, aged 53 and residing on Jackson Avenue in Culcheth, used social media platforms, particularly Instagram, to contact the girl. Despite her initial refusal to engage with his advances, she eventually allowed him to send her messages. Over the course of their communication, Brooks sent more than 200 explicit messages, which included lewd remarks and invitations to meet for kisses and cuddles. His inappropriate conduct extended to asking the girl to send naked photographs of herself, although she refused to comply with this request.

The court heard that Brooks, a qualified engineer with a background in the nuclear industry and currently employed by a national distribution company, had no previous criminal convictions. His offending was only uncovered after a friend of the victim, to whom she had confided, alerted her parents about the messages. This revelation led to an investigation that confirmed Brooks’ inappropriate behavior.

During the court proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, Brooks admitted to charges including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual communications with a minor, and attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. Despite his admissions, he reportedly continues to demonstrate elements of denial regarding the full extent of his misconduct.

The victim’s father expressed feelings of guilt for not recognizing the signs of grooming earlier, describing how Brooks had “massively abused her trust.” The father’s comments were echoed by the court, which heard that Brooks had been a long-standing coach at the swimming club, with volunteers and staff members expressing shock upon learning of his actions.

Brooks, who has since separated from his wife of 25 years due to his offending, faced a stern sentence. Judge Robert Warnock sentenced him to three years in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years. Additionally, Brooks was issued a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Warnock condemned Brooks’ actions, stating, “As her swimming instructor and purported friend of the family, you bombarded her with wholly inappropriate messages. She received them and was deeply troubled by them. Those messages were wholly inappropriate, sexual suggestions, and completely inappropriate remarks about your feelings towards her. It was a campaign of a paedophile, and you must face up to that fact. That is what you did.”