WARREN BERNSTEIN SENTENCED IN LEICESTER FOR GROOMING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In a case that has shocked the community of Leicester, Warren Bernstein, a 41-year-old man from Cranmer Street in the West End of Leicester, has been sentenced to four years in prison for engaging in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl.The court heard that Bernstein actively groomed the young girl, establishing and maintaining contact through the use of a mobile phone, which he provided her with specifically for this purpose.
Leicester Crown Court was informed that Bernstein's inappropriate relationship persisted even after he was arrested and released on bail.
Despite the legal restrictions, he continued to see the girl, raising serious concerns about his disregard for the law and the safety of the minor involved.
Prosecutor Philip Gibbs detailed that the victim’s mother discovered a series of letters and text messages that clearly indicated sexual activity had taken place between Bernstein and the girl.
This discovery prompted her to contact the police, leading to Bernstein’s arrest.
It was revealed that the girl was a willing participant in the relationship, often sneaking out of her home at night to meet Bernstein.
To cover her tracks, she would leave a pillow under her bedclothes, creating the illusion that she was asleep when her mother checked on her.
Further disturbing details emerged during the trial, with Bernstein allegedly suggesting that the girl should slip her mother sleeping pills to facilitate her clandestine meetings.
However, this particular plan was not carried out.
Prosecutor Gibbs emphasized that Bernstein pleaded guilty to five counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, thereby accepting responsibility for his actions.
During sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond described Bernstein as a sexual predator who exploited the girl, knowing she was underage and vulnerable.
The judge condemned Bernstein’s attempt to claim in a pre-sentence report that the girl had seduced him, stating that such claims were utterly false.
The judge also highlighted Bernstein’s own admission that he did not love the girl and that their encounters were purely for sexual gratification.
Judge Hammond emphasized the importance of protecting young girls from predators like Bernstein, stating, “He was a sexual predator.
He knew she was forbidden fruit and used her for his own sexual gratification.
It was utterly wrong for him to suggest that she seduced him.
He’s old enough to be her father.
He should have said no and kept saying no.
Courts have a duty to protect young girls from themselves.” In mitigation, the court was told that the victim appeared to be mentally older than her years, which may have contributed to Bernstein’s misguided perception.
It was also noted that Bernstein’s guilty plea spared the girl from having to give evidence in court, which could have been traumatic for her.
Bernstein, who has no previous convictions related to sex offences, accepted that his actions were wrong.
As part of his sentence, Bernstein was prohibited from working with children and was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order.
This order explicitly forbids him from having unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16, aiming to prevent any future harm and protect other potential victims in Leicester.
