ANDREW PYKETT FROM LEAMINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN WARWICKSHIRE AND BEYOND

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Andrew Pykett, a resident of Leamington, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of heinous child sexual offences committed over a span of several years. The crimes, which involved the sexual abuse of multiple teenage girls, were committed across various locations in England, including South Yorkshire, Essex, London, Wiltshire, South Wales, Nottingham, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Chesterfield, and even extended to the United States.

Investigations revealed that Pykett, aged 38 at the time of sentencing, engaged in a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that targeted vulnerable minors. His offences included sexually abusing ten teenage girls aged between 13 and 16, with the total number of charges amounting to 40. These offences ranged from sexual touching and penetration to more severe acts, some of which he recorded on video. Authorities also uncovered indecent images of the victims and other children stored on his devices.

During the sentencing at Warwick Crown Court, Judge Andrew Lockhart QC addressed Pykett directly, stating, “You have done lifelong harm to a number of people, many of whom were young girls. Your offending began 10 years ago now and spanned for eight years. It was sustained offending with many teenage girls contacted across the internet and met at least eight of them. You were aged 30 to 37 at the time but you were able to persuade girls half your age to meet you.”

Details of Pykett’s criminal record include 20 counts of sexual activity with a child, which comprised four counts of sexual touching and 16 counts of penetration. He also faced charges related to grooming, including seven counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, and two counts of attempting to meet a child after grooming. Additional charges involved trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation, possession of indecent photographs classified as Category A, B, and C, and possession of controlled substances, specifically MDMA and cannabis.

Prosecutor Michael Williams outlined that Pykett had contacted his victims predominantly through online platforms such as chat rooms, MSN Messenger, and Instagram. The court heard that his offending was persistent and targeted vulnerable teenage girls. The investigation was initiated after Pykett was observed acting inappropriately with a 15-year-old girl at a pub in Rotherham in November 2015. Following this incident, police seized his computer and discovered numerous highly sexualized conversations with young girls. Further inquiries revealed that Pykett had met at least eight of these girls in person, engaging in sexual activities with some of them.

The case also involved a report from the father of one of the victims, who found the online chats between his daughter and Pykett and promptly reported the matter to authorities. Pykett was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to the charges in March 2017. His sentencing today confirms the severity of his crimes, with a minimum term of eight and a half years to be served before eligibility for parole. Upon release, he will remain on license for an additional seven years, ensuring ongoing supervision.

In a related hearing, Pykett admitted to grooming girls from various parts of the country, including Birmingham, Nottingham, Wales, Wiltshire, and Northumberland, with the intent of engaging in sexual acts. His offences also included trafficking a girl for sexual exploitation and taking indecent photographs, including a video of a girl involved in bondage and sexual activity. He further admitted to downloading images of a girl in the United States and possessing illegal drugs at the time of his arrest.

Judge Lockhart emphasized the dangerous nature of Pykett’s conduct, ordering a pre-sentence report focused on his dangerousness and mandating his registration as a sex offender for life. The judge acknowledged that Pykett’s guilty pleas spared victims from a lengthy trial, but warned him to prepare for a long incarceration, underscoring the gravity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims.