Telford man, 37, sent 'get naked' text to teenager
A man sent a text message to a teenage girl asking her to "get naked" for him, a court heard.
Damian Hollyhead also sent texts to the teenager – who was aged under 16 – asking her to come to his home, as well as asking her to dress in stockings and for her to go out in his car with him so he could touch her.
A jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday unanimously found Hollyhead guilty of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Hollyhead, of Victoria Court, Hadley, Telford, sent the texts to the girl on November 25, 2014.
Peter McCartney, prosecuting, said the 37-year-old was almost three times the girl's age.
Elizabeth Power, defending. said the texts were intended as "banter".
She said: "It was joking, banter behaviour to him. He has not deviated from that one bit.
"In hindsight you can appreciate it's not appropriate.
"He's accepted he sent those messages but they were a joke. You may think they are not in the best taste."
Ms Power also said her client did not intend to engage in sexual activity with the girl, nor had he touched her inappropriately or said anything inappropriate to her before that.
The messages came to light after the girl was upset at school and told her friend about them, who then told a teacher.
The trial had started on Tuesday and jurors reached their verdict in less than two hours.
Recorder Tracey Lloyd-Nesling adjourned sentence for reports. Hollyhead. He was granted bail.
