THORNBURY MAN SPENCER LEVER CAUGHT IN CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION SCHEME

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Thornbury, Spencer Lever, a 21-year-old resident of Sibland Way, has been found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and illegal online communications with a minor. The incident came to light in May 2022 when Lever paid a 13-year-old girl for revealing photographs, disguising his intentions by claiming the payments were for a paper round.

According to court proceedings, Lever attempted to keep his interactions with the young girl secret, urging her to conceal their online conversations from others. The court heard that Lever's actions involved multiple instances of sexual communication, which he later admitted to police he believed the girl was under 16 at the time.

During the hearing at Bristol Crown Court on March 8, 2022, Lever pleaded guilty to two charges related to engaging in sexual communication with a child. The presiding judge, Miss Joanna Martin QC, sentenced him to a three-year community order. This order includes participation in a sex offender rehabilitation program, completion of 100 hours of unpaid work, and a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order aimed at monitoring and restricting his future conduct.

In her remarks, Miss Martin emphasized the importance of protecting young girls from predatory individuals like Lever, stating, “Young girls have to be protected from predatory men. The impact on a young girl can be devastating and life-changing.”

The case was initiated after the victim’s parents received a tip-off from one of her friends, alerting them that their daughter was sending explicit photos to a man online. The girl confirmed this, revealing that Lever had sent her an intimate photo of himself. She recounted that Lever had told her she looked pretty and had asked if they could “secretly be a couple,” though she declined such advances.

The victim described receiving approximately 50 messages from Lever, who was described as “pushy and naggy” in his requests for nude photos. Initially, she refused but eventually sent three images, each costing £20, under the pretense that the money was for a paper round.

She further disclosed that Lever had sent her explicit photos of himself, in which he was naked from the waist down. In contrast, she stated that her own photos did not show her completely nude, but often depicted her in her underwear. When Lever asked if she would have sex with him, she declined.

During police interviews, Lever admitted that he believed the girl was under 16 and acknowledged requesting and receiving some photos from her. His actions have now resulted in legal consequences, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat online exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from predatory behavior.