TERRANCE RAYMOND LEWIS SENTENCED IN STOCKPORT FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In a significant case brought to light by the Child Protection Investigation Unit in Stockport, Terrance Raymond Lewis has been sentenced to nearly a decade behind bars, specifically 9 years and 9 months, with an additional three-year period of extended licence. This sentencing follows a thorough and detailed investigation into his disturbing criminal activities involving minors.

The case reached a pivotal point on Monday, 12 June 2024, when Lewis pleaded guilty to a total of 19 counts related to child sexual offences. These charges included one count of meeting a child following online grooming, one count of abducting a child, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, four counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, five counts of sexual activity with a child, and six counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. The gravity of these offences underscores the severity of his actions and the extensive efforts by law enforcement to bring him to justice.

The investigation was sparked by a report from a hotel receptionist in Stockport on Sunday, 7 January 2024. The receptionist observed that an older man had checked into a local hotel with a young girl, and their behavior appeared suspicious. Recognizing the potential danger, the receptionist promptly alerted police. Officers responded swiftly, arriving at the scene and arresting Lewis. During this intervention, they ensured the safety and well-being of the young girl, who was subsequently supported by specialist child safeguarding agencies. Following his arrest, Lewis was charged with three offences and was remanded into custody pending further proceedings.

Further probing into Lewis’s activities revealed a disturbing pattern of online grooming. It was uncovered that he had been grooming a 14-year-old girl over an online children’s chat forum, beginning when she was only 11 years old. During this period, Lewis concealed his true identity by posing as a fellow 14-year-old, using photographs of another child and adopting a false name to hide his real intentions. This deception allowed him to manipulate and exploit the young girl over an extended period.

Specialist safeguarding officers launched an extensive investigation, reviewing tens of thousands of text messages exchanged between Lewis and the victim. The police also recovered thousands of images from his mobile devices, which further exposed the extent of his offending. As a result, Lewis faced an additional 16 charges, reflecting the breadth of his criminal conduct.

Throughout the investigation, it became evident that the victim was unable to fully disclose the abuse she endured at the hands of Lewis. Despite her reluctance, law enforcement officers remained relentless in their pursuit of justice. Their diligent efforts ensured that Lewis was held accountable for his heinous crimes, even in a case where the victim’s full story was not initially disclosed. The prosecution was ultimately successful in securing a conviction, bringing a measure of justice to the young girl and reaffirming the community’s commitment to protecting children from such deplorable acts.