WAYNE GAMMON FROM ROMFORD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

In December 2013, a disturbing case emerged involving Wayne Gammon, a man from Romford, who was convicted of grooming and engaging in multiple sexual encounters with a 14-year-old girl. The case came to light after an observant member of the public, Gareth Oram, intervened during a street encounter in Gloucester. Mr. Oram noticed the young girl attempting to escape from Gammon, who was following her persistently. Concerned by her distressed state—she was visibly upset and trembling—Mr. Oram promptly contacted the police.

When authorities arrived at the scene, the girl disclosed that Gammon, aged 45 and residing on Wolesley Road in Romford, had befriended her through social media platforms. Over a period of several months, Gammon traveled from Romford to Cheltenham in Gloucestershire to meet her in person. The girl revealed that their relationship had become increasingly inappropriate, with Gammon grooming her for sexual activity. She admitted to having engaged in sexual intercourse with him at least twice, along with other sexual acts, during their meetings. The court heard that during some of these visits, Gammon provided her with alcohol and cannabis, further complicating the nature of their encounters.

Gammon’s actions were not limited to the UK. Prosecutor Richard Posner revealed that, following his arrest, police discovered that Gammon had been attempting to contact underage girls in Canada, Spain, and France, in addition to the UK. Most of these children had explicitly told him to cease communication, indicating that his predatory behavior extended beyond national borders.

During the court proceedings at Gloucester Crown Court, Gammon admitted to meeting the girl with the intent of having sex between January 15 and February 4. He also pleaded guilty to charges of causing or inciting her to perform sexual acts and to three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. The judge, William Hart, sentenced Gammon to four years in prison. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Hart condemned Gammon’s conduct, stating, “You groomed her, you exploited her naivete, you exploited her immature sexual curiosity, and you exploited her vulnerability. Your behavior towards her was predatory. It shows you have a darker side to your nature concealed from those who only see you in the light of day.”

He further added, “An aggravated factor is that you had unprotected intercourse with her and you gave her alcohol and cannabis as a form of bribery or reward. This was calculated activity—crossing the country to indulge yourself with this young girl.”

Defense solicitor Andrew Hobson explained that Gammon’s offending was partly driven by loneliness following two marriage breakdowns, attempting to provide some context for his actions, though not excusing them. The case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the serious consequences of exploiting vulnerable minors, with Gammon now facing a significant custodial sentence for his actions in Gloucestershire.