SPENNYMOOR MAN SITIKANTHA MOHANTY FACES PRISON AFTER GROOMING 13-YEAR-OLD AUTISTIC GIRL IN DURHAM

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Spennymoor and the wider Durham area, Sitikantha Mohanty, a 48-year-old academic, has been remanded in custody following his admission to grooming a vulnerable 13-year-old girl on the autistic spectrum. The incident, which took place over a very short period in June of the previous year, involved a series of alarming communications that have now led to serious criminal charges.

Durham Crown Court heard that during just four days in June, Mohanty exchanged a staggering total of 1,251 messages with the young girl. Most of these messages were sent from the defendant himself, indicating a persistent and targeted effort to engage with her. The court was informed that these messages included inappropriate requests for photographs of the girl, with one message described as a “begging” plea. Additionally, Mohanty asked the girl to call him her “older boyfriend,” a request that further demonstrated his manipulative intent.

Prosecutor Jane Waugh detailed the nature of the messages, emphasizing that the girl had clearly communicated her age and her discomfort, telling Mohanty to “stop scaring her.” She also refused his request for a hug if they were to meet in person, describing him as “creepy.” The court was told that Mohanty’s messaging was not a one-time occurrence but a “persistent, ongoing targeting of her over two weeks,” which underscores the calculated nature of his actions.

Mohanty, who was formerly residing on South Street in Spennymoor, appeared at the court for a plea hearing in February. At that time, he denied a charge of arranging to meet a child following grooming. A trial was scheduled to commence the following Monday, September 4. However, during the proceedings, Mohanty’s legal counsel, Tony Davis, requested that the charge be put to his client again. This time, Mohanty chose to plead guilty to the offence.

The presiding judge responded by stating, “You have now pleaded guilty to a serious offence and I’ll adjourn sentence to October 6, but, in the meantime, you will be remanded in custody.” The court also ordered that Mohanty be subject to notification requirements as a convicted sex offender. The specific terms of these conditions and the length of the sentence will be confirmed at the upcoming sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for October 6. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation, especially in communities like Spennymoor and Durham where such incidents have a profound impact.