STEPHEN LIDZY FROM WELLESBOURNE JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AND COCAINE SUPPLY INVOLVING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN COVENTRY

In March 2021, a man from Wellesbourne named Stephen Lidzy was sentenced to a significant prison term after being convicted of serious crimes involving a minor. The case centered around allegations that Lidzy, aged 28 at the time, engaged in grooming and sexual activities with a 14-year-old girl, as well as supplying her with cocaine. The incident took place in and around the Coventry area, with the court proceedings highlighting the disturbing nature of the offenses.

Prosecutor Peter Cooper detailed how Lidzy first came into contact with the young girl in early 2018. Their initial meeting occurred at a flat in Leamington, where Lidzy was known to frequent. The girl, who was only 14, visited the flat with friends, and Lidzy, being older than most present, asked her age. When she revealed she was 14, he began to establish contact with her through Snapchat, often portraying himself as supportive and caring, especially regarding her struggles with self-harm and personal issues. This initial contact was described as potentially grooming behavior, especially considering an incident where she and a friend went for a drive with Lidzy in his car. Although nothing inappropriate happened during that drive, the court considered it a possible step in the grooming process.

Further interactions included Lidzy messaging her while she was at school, offering words of support. After school, she returned home, changed clothes, and was later contacted by Lidzy around 5:40 pm, requesting to meet her to discuss her problems. He arrived in his car while she was outside a fast-food takeaway on Bath Street in Leamington, where she was with a friend. The girls got into Lidzy’s vehicle, and he drove them to a nearby shop close to the fire station. During this journey, he offered them a line of cocaine; her friend refused, but the girl and Lidzy both snorted a line. Afterward, he drove them back to their original location and dropped them off.

Later that evening, the girls were socializing with friends at Newbold Comyn. During this time, Lidzy contacted the girl again, asking to meet her for a short period. She agreed, and they arranged to meet at a park, which she initially believed to be Victoria Park in Leamington but later thought might have been St Nicholas Park in Warwick. Lidzy parked his car, turned off the engine, and they engaged in conversation. During this encounter, he inappropriately touched her, placing his hand on her buttocks and squeezing it, then reaching down the front of her jeans. It was also alleged that he pushed her head down to perform oral sex, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict on that specific charge.

Subsequently, Lidzy moved to the passenger side of the vehicle, reclined her seat, and engaged in sexual intercourse with her. After the act, both adjusted their clothing, and Lidzy took another line of cocaine before driving her home. The girl later confided in an older cousin about what had transpired. Following discussions with her family, the police were contacted and an investigation was launched.

During police interviews, the girl revealed that Lidzy had sent her a sexually explicit image and encouraged her to send him nude photographs. Lidzy admitted to meeting the girl at the flat but claimed he was aware of her age and only communicated with her when his girlfriend was present. Initially, he denied taking her in his car but later admitted to doing so, although he denied providing her with cocaine. He insisted that he spent the rest of the evening at home with his girlfriend and did not see the girl again that night. Evidence later emerged that his girlfriend had attempted to contact him via text message, and Lidzy acknowledged spending time with the girl in his car but maintained that no sexual activity occurred.

Ultimately, the court found Lidzy guilty of multiple charges, including supplying cocaine to a minor, engaging in sexual activity with a child, and inciting her to engage in sexual acts. As a result, he was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the need for ongoing monitoring to protect the community from potential future offenses.