ANDREW SCHORRALL SHIFNAL EX-OFFICER GROOMS 14-YEAR-OLD FOR SEX AND IS JAILED IN SHREWSBURY

In January 2007, a disturbing case emerged involving Andrew Schollar, a 42-year-old former squadron leader from the Royal Air Force based in Shifnal, Shropshire. Schollar was convicted of grooming a 14-year-old girl for sexual activity, a crime that spanned over a nine-month period. The incident came to light after the girl’s father discovered explicit text messages on her mobile phone, which led to Schollar’s arrest and subsequent conviction.

Schollar’s relationship with the teenage girl began after they met at a New Year’s Eve party. Over the following months, he engaged in a pattern of manipulative and predatory behavior, bombarding her with sexually explicit messages and giving her presents. These actions were part of his attempt to fulfill his own sexual fantasies, exploiting the girl’s innocence and trust. The court heard that Schollar, who was already a convicted sex offender, used the relationship to manipulate the girl into believing they were in love and that they would eventually marry.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Barkley described Schollar’s conduct as deeply disturbing, emphasizing that the girl believed she was in a virtuous relationship and that her trust in him was growing. She was under the impression that their relationship was genuine and that love was involved. However, her innocence was exploited, and her trust was betrayed by Schollar’s actions.

It was revealed that the girl was only 14 and a virgin at the time, and she confided in her father about the relationship. The girl explained to her father that she and Schollar had agreed to keep their relationship secret. The court was told that Schollar’s behavior was predatory and that he used her for his own gratification.

Andrew Schollar, who resided at Market Place, Shifnal, admitted to five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16, covering the period from June 1 to September 30 of the previous year. His criminal record included a previous conviction for possessing child pornography, which led to his dismissal from the RAF police in 2004 after a two-month jail sentence.

Today, Schollar was sentenced to 44 months in prison, a sentence intended to protect the public from further harm. Additionally, he was ordered to remain on licence for ten years following his release and was permanently disqualified from working with children. The judge, Mr. Paul Glenn, expressed concern about the long-term psychological harm the victim would likely suffer as a result of the grooming and abuse.

Judge Glenn stated, “The text messages were disgusting and were not indicative of love but of lust. You used her to fulfill your sexual fantasies and you groomed her.”

Schollar’s defense lawyer, Mr. Leonard Webster, argued that the sexual activity was consensual and that Schollar was aware of the wrongfulness of his actions. He also noted that Schollar had shown remorse and shame for his conduct. Nonetheless, the court’s decision reflected the seriousness of the crime and the need to safeguard vulnerable minors from predatory individuals like Schollar.