TOM FLETCHER JAILED IN PLYMOUTH FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITS OF UNDERAGE GIRLS
Tom Fletcher, a 21-year-old from Bayswater Road, Stonehouse, has been sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting to a series of disturbing sexual offences involving underage girls.Fletcher was found guilty of having full sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl and groping a 15-year-old, as well as multiple charges related to grooming and sexually communicating with minors.
Court proceedings revealed that Fletcher repeatedly contacted and groomed the girls via Snapchat and Instagram, convincing them to exchange explicit photographs.
One girl, who was only 11 at the time, was paid compliments and asked for images by Fletcher, despite her age.
The Plymouth Crown Court heard that despite warnings from his own mother and friends, Fletcher continued to reach out to underage girls.
The court was told that Fletcher's first victim, a 15-year-old, was approached through a group chat on Instagram in October last year.
He paid her compliments even after she disclosed her age.
They often messaged on their mobile phones, and she eventually sent him explicit photos at his request.
During their interactions, Fletcher also touched her chest over her clothing during a second meeting on the street.
She later became distressed when she learned he was messaging even younger girls aged 11 and 12 via Facebook, prompting her to inform her mother and police.
In January of this year, Fletcher befriended a 14-year-old girl on Snapchat.
He again solicited explicit images and sent her three videos of himself performing an indecent act.
Subsequently, he persuaded her to run away from home in her pyjamas in February.
She spent the night at Fletcher's house, where they engaged in full sexual intercourse.
Her parents reported her missing after she switched off her mobile phone.
Both girls have since been affected, experiencing sleep difficulties and emotional distress, with one seeking counselling.
Judge Anna Richardson told Fletcher, “You contacted the first victim about three times a day on average,” and remarked that he threatened self-harm to manipulate the second girl emotionally.
She emphasized that both victims had suffered significant emotional consequences, describing them as experiencing fear and anxiety.
The judge also stated Fletcher posed a "significant risk of serious harm to the public." Fletcher pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a child, one of sexual communication with a child, and one of inciting a child to watch a sexual act.
For the Crown Prosecution Service, Peter Coombe detailed that Fletcher initially befriended the first girl through Instagram, paid her compliments, and asked for explicit photographs, which she sent.
The court heard that Fletcher touched her chest over her clothing during a second encounter.
After she learned Fletcher was messaging even younger girls, she told her mother, leading to police involvement.
Regarding the second girl, Mr.
Coombe explained Fletcher’s persistent grooming and insistence on sexual images, including videos of himself.
He persuaded her to run away and spent the night with her, during which they had full sexual intercourse.
The court noted that both girls continue to struggle emotionally, with one seeking therapy and the other experiencing nightmares, fear, and changes in mood.
In prior unrelated incidents, Fletcher had previously been labeled a "dangerous prat" in 2019 after admitting to dangerous driving near McDonald's and the city centre.
He was also handed a suspended sentence for driving despite a disqualification.
Fletcher's defense lawyer, Ali Rafati, acknowledged his client has been evaluated by mental health professionals, suggesting he may operate at a lower intellectual level and has struggled to form relationships with peers.
Mr.
Rafati indicated that Fletcher has expressed remorse, has been subjected to bullying in prison, and intends to work with various agencies to prevent future misconduct.
He stated, “He is someone who operates at a lower level and perhaps has a limited intellect.
He is certainly immature,” and added that Fletcher has been in prison since February and has shown willingness to reform.
