Shropshire man jailed for grooming young girl
A man arranged to meet a vulnerable teenager for sexual activity despite being warned she was under age, a court heard.
Daniel Phillips was jailed for a total three years for a string of grooming offences involving three different children and for harassing an adult female by sending her “sordid” text messages.
Prosecuting barrister Arthur Gibson said the defendant admitted inciting a girl under 13 and inciting a girl under 14 to engage in sexual activity after befriending them on Facebook.
After he sent them inappropriate messages, he was identified by police when the phone he used was traced by its internet protocol address.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard he was on bail for the matters when he committed the latest offence in February.
He also admitted inciting a child aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity at a previous hearing.
Mr Gibson said the incident happened after a girl told her family the defendant had sent her messages and invited her to meet him.
He said the police were then called after they were found together at a house and Phillips was arrested.
Gareth Roberts, mitigating barrister, said the defendant had a difficult childhood, is of low IQ and was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s.
“It has not been lost on him that he has brought shame on his family,” Mr Roberts said.
For the sex offences he was jailed for a total of 33 months.
He was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must inform the police of his address in future.
Following a trial last month Phillips, 23, of Darby Road, Coalbrookdale, was acquitted of rape in relation to allegations made by an adult female.
However, he admitted one offence of harassing the same woman using text messages and was also sentenced to three months for that matter on Friday.
He was also banned from contacting the woman for five years except through the court.
He must serve half for the jail term before being released on licence.
Sentencing him Judge Anthony Lowe said: "I have taken into consideration your age at the time of the offences and mental issues. The appropriate sentence is three years imprisonment."
