Man jailed on child sex offences
It follows investigations by Northamptonshire and Thames Valley Police
A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years and six months after pleading guilty to sexual activity with children.
Christian Graham Ross, of Netherfield, Milton Keynes, contacted one of the teenage girls via social media, pretending to be younger than he was.
He groomed her into what she believed was a legitimate relationship and on multiple occasions, met her at his then home address in Northampton where he would ply her with alcohol and drugs before sexually exploiting her.
The case came to light when someone told a teacher at the girl’s school, and they immediately informed Northamptonshire Police. Officers from the RISE team (Reducing Incidents of Sexual Exploitation) began an investigation which led to the arrest of Ross.
During the investigation, it transpired that Ross had also groomed a second teenage girl from the Thames Valley Police area on the internet, before meeting her and engaging in sexual activity.
Ross was subsequently charged with three counts of penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 and one count of meeting a gurl under 16 following grooming. He pleaded guilty to all four offences at two separate hearings in May and June last year.
A mobile phone was seized as part of the Thames Valley Police investigation and Ross was further charged with three offences of making indecent images of children. However, despite denying these offences, he was found guilty by a jury at a three-day trial.
At Amersham Crown Court last Friday (April 19th), Ross was sentenced to a total of eight years and six months’ imprisonment and ordered to serve a further four years on extended licence. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Lead Investigator, Detective Constable Raj Singh of Northamptonshire Police’s RISE team said:
“This investigation was a very challenging case as we first needed to explain to the first victim that the relationship she was in was not a legitimate one and that Ross had instead used their significant age difference to groom and manipulate her.
“With the support of her family and our team, she went on to provide crucial evidence which secured the charges and the subsequent guilty pleas. She should be exceptionally proud of herself for the courage she’s shown and the fact that because of her, Ross is now behind bars.
“This case demonstrates what happens to adults who think it is acceptable to form ‘relationships’ with children. The blame always lies with the offender, and we will come after you without fear or favour.”
Detective Inspector Andy Blaize of Northamptonshire Police’s Rise team added:
“Christian Ross is a highly dangerous sexual predator who demonstrated a clear pattern of inappropriate behaviour - grooming, manipulating and sexually assaulting these young girls over a period of time.
“The survivors of his abuse have suffered with the memories of what happened to them but because of their bravery, justice has been done and Ross will now spend a significant period in prison.
“Northamptonshire Police takes cases like these extremely seriously – we will believe you and we will do everything we can to bring your abuser to justice.”