SIMON LIVERSIDGE SENTENCED IN YORK FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRL
In June 2017, a man named Simon Liversidge was sentenced to over three years in prison following his conviction for engaging in sexual activities with a minor.The incident took place in York, where Liversidge, aged 34 and residing at Barfoss Place, Selby, was found guilty of grooming a young girl and having multiple sexual encounters with her during her teenage years.
Prosecutor David McGonigal outlined that Liversidge had systematically groomed the girl, who was between 14 and 15 years old at the time of the offences.
He explained that Liversidge, then a student in York, had taken deliberate steps to manipulate the girl, including teaching her sexual techniques and engaging in consensual sexual acts on at least ten occasions between May 2004 and March 2005.
These encounters occurred at Liversidge’s residence, and the case revealed a pattern of calculated grooming behavior aimed at exploiting the girl’s vulnerability.
Authorities became aware of the situation when the girl, who was under the age of consent, approached the police.
She disclosed her age and the nature of her relationship with Liversidge, leading to his arrest.
During the trial, Liversidge faced multiple charges, including two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, which he admitted.
However, he denied five other charges, which included a third count of sexual activity with a minor and two counts of rape.
The Crown Prosecution Service alleged that one of the rapes involved Liversidge strangling the girl with a curtain, an accusation he denied.
Additionally, Liversidge was charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, specifically for allegedly kicking the girl in the stomach.
He maintained his innocence on all five of these charges, and after a trial last month, a jury acquitted him of all the contested allegations, including rape and assault causing bodily harm.
The jury accepted his claim that the sexual acts were consensual, despite the girl’s young age.
During the proceedings, Mr.
McGonigal highlighted that the girl initially told Liversidge she was older than her actual age, but she later revealed her true age.
Following this revelation, the two began communicating via text messages.
The prosecutor emphasized that Liversidge had engaged in sexual activity with the girl on numerous occasions, specifically at his property, when she was below the age of consent.
He described the case as involving a significant degree of planning and grooming, with Liversidge, who was around 19 or 20 at the time, deliberately encouraging the girl and manipulating her through messaging and kindness to achieve his own desires.
Defense lawyer Andrew Stranex argued that there was no evidence of grooming and that Liversidge had not initially targeted an underage girl.
He claimed that his client was focused on building his business and had not intended to exploit anyone.
Judge Andrew Stubbs QC addressed the court, condemning Liversidge for exploiting a girl who was not only younger but also significantly less mature.
He pointed out that Liversidge, being in a different maturity league, was aware of the girl’s age and chose to continue contact despite knowing her true age.
The judge emphasized that even though the girl appeared to have consented, Liversidge was the more experienced and initiating party, who had groomed her to serve his own interests.
As a result, Liversidge was sentenced to 40 months in prison.
He was also subjected to a lifelong restraining order that prohibits any contact with the victim.
Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offenders register for life and an SHPO (Sexual Harm Prevention Order) was issued to restrict his future conduct.
Overall, the case underscores the serious nature of grooming and sexual exploitation of minors, highlighting the legal consequences faced by offenders who manipulate vulnerable young individuals for their own gratification.
