ANDREW STONE FROM CHELLASTON JAILED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL ABUSE IN DERBY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Chellaston and the wider Derby area, Andrew Stone, a 49-year-old man, has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in grooming and sexually abusing two teenage girls who were in care. The incident took place in Derby, with the offender’s home located on St Peter's Road, where police uncovered evidence of his heinous activities.

According to court proceedings, Stone targeted two vulnerable girls aged 14 and 15 over a period of six months. During this time, he engaged in manipulative behavior, providing them with cigarettes and alcohol, including lighter fuel, to intoxicate them. His grooming tactics also involved washing the clothes of one of the girls, further establishing a pattern of control and exploitation.

The police investigation was triggered after social care staff noticed concerning behavior, including one of the girls being picked up by an older man. This led to a detailed inquiry, culminating in the recovery of graphic footage from Stone’s residence. The footage depicted Stone engaging in sexual acts with the girls, with one of the girls seen inhaling gas from a canister, clearly intoxicated and under the influence of substances. Prosecutors highlighted that Stone actively encouraged her and even recorded her inhaling the gas, which added to the severity of his misconduct.

During the court hearing at Derby Crown Court, the prosecution revealed that Stone paid the girls for sexual activities and discussed financial arrangements with them. At one point, he appeared to give one of the girls a pep talk, warning her about the dangers posed by perverts, ironically warning her of the risks while simultaneously exploiting her vulnerability. The court also learned that Stone possessed more than 80 images of extreme pornography, which were unrelated to the girls but demonstrated his disturbing interests.

Stone faced multiple charges, including two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of paying for sexual services involving a child, and two offenses related to taking indecent photographs of a child. He also pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornographic images. Judge Abbas Mithani QC sentenced him to seven years in prison, emphasizing his disgust and the gravity of the crimes. The judge also ordered Stone to register as a sex offender and imposed a lifelong ban on working with children.

In response, Derby City Council officials stated that they had taken numerous measures to safeguard children in care. They emphasized that the conviction was made possible through close cooperation between police and social services, with the council actively working to prevent such exploitation. A council spokesperson highlighted that staff had been trained to recognize the dangers of grooming and sexual exploitation, and that individual care plans for children reflect their vulnerabilities. The council also pointed to the implementation of a sexual exploitation strategy by Derby’s safeguarding children board, which aims to protect at-risk youth and prevent future incidents.

Sheila Taylor, chief executive of the charity Safe and Sound, acknowledged that Derby is not a hotspot for this type of crime but credited the proactive efforts of police and dedicated organizations for the successful prosecution of offenders like Stone. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and robust safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable children from predators.