THOMAS WATTON OF GRIMSBY JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN MANCHESTER AND GRIMSBY
In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of social media and the exploitation of young boys, Thomas Watton, also known as Tomm Watt, has been sentenced to five years in prison for a series of serious sexual offences.The offences took place over a period that spanned from July 2011 to March 2013, involving eight boys aged between 12 and 15, with the crimes primarily occurring in Grimsby and Manchester.
Watton, a former contestant on the popular ITV reality show The X Factor in 2011, gained a modest level of fame following his appearance on the show.
His social media presence expanded significantly after his audition, with thousands of followers on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Skype.
It was through these online channels that he initiated contact with the victims, using his social media influence to lure young boys into his web of sexual misconduct.
The court heard that Watton would engage in online conversations with these boys, many of whom were as young as 12 or 13, before inviting them to his residence.
Once at his home, he would suggest engaging in sexual acts and would also request explicit photographs, which he stored on his computer.
The pattern of his offending involved a calculated approach, beginning with online contact and escalating to physical meetings where he would perform sexual acts on the boys and vice versa.
Judge Paul Watson QC condemned Watton’s actions, stating, “You took advantage of your modest celebrity status to befriend young boys and lure them back to your bedroom where you performed a variety of sexual acts on them, and them on you.
These young boys were at an age where their sexuality was only just appearing, but you did your best to corrupt them to your own way of thinking.” The court detailed how social media played a crucial role in facilitating Watton’s offending.
The defendant’s online activity involved numerous communications with the victims, which included sending explicit messages, inviting them over, and making sexual propositions.
Prosecutor Simon Waley explained that Watton’s contact with the boys was intense and targeted, especially focusing on those aged 13 and 14.
The communication often began on Facebook or Skype and progressed into sexual conversations, with Watton frequently inviting the boys to his house to watch films and engage in sexual activities.
Watton admitted to committing 12 offences, which included four counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of possessing indecent photographs of a child, and six counts of inciting or causing a child to engage in sexual acts.
The court was shown evidence of his digital devices, including two laptops and a mobile phone, which police seized.
These devices contained approximately 100 folders labeled with boys’ names, some of which held indecent photographs.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Watton had sent a 13-year-old boy a message asking if he “wanted to do stuff” while they were watching a film together.
He also boasted about his sexual encounters with a 13-year-old to a friend, which later contributed to his arrest.
Other disturbing details included him warning a 14-year-old not to tell anyone about their activities, and making a provocative comment to another 14-year-old, saying, “You’d be my 86th straight lad,” a statement he later denied in police interview.
Additionally, he threatened to re-post private sexual messages unless the victim engaged in further sexual acts, and told another boy to “get Aids and die” after his advances were rejected, a claim he also later refuted.
In mitigation, defense lawyer Simon Hirst argued that most of the offences occurred when Watton was 18, during a difficult period marked by bullying and struggles with his sexuality.
Hirst emphasized that Watton found it hard to speak about these issues with older individuals and felt more comfortable with peers of his own age.
The lawyer also highlighted that Watton has since enrolled in educational courses in English, maths, and fine art while in prison, and expressed willingness to participate in a sex offenders’ rehabilitation program upon his release.
Supporters of Watton, including his mother, grandmother, and auntie, provided character references to the court.
It was also noted that he was a student studying graphic design at Leeds Metropolitan University and was known locally for his involvement in organizing and performing at fundraising events in Grimsby.
Despite his prior community involvement, the court’s focus remained on the gravity of his criminal actions and the need for justice for his young victims.
