ASHLEY BINGLEY SENTENCED IN DEREHAM FOR GROOMING TEEN FOR SEXUAL ACTS

In June 2021, a man from Dereham who engaged in grooming a teenage girl for sexual purposes was sentenced to prison. Ashley Bingley, aged 29 at the time of sentencing, had previously been 24 when he initiated contact with the girl, who was only 14 years old. The initial communication between them was conducted through text messages, which over time progressed into secretive and inappropriate meetings. These encounters, described as “clandestine sexual trysts,” took place within the Dereham area, involving Bingley’s home and various locations around the town.

Details of the case reveal that Bingley was brought to trial in December, where he faced multiple serious charges. He was accused of meeting a child through grooming, committing five counts of sexual activity with a child, and one count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. The offences spanned from March to August 2016. Throughout the proceedings, Bingley maintained his innocence, denying all seven charges against him. The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was present during the trial, listening to the proceedings via a remote link.

On Tuesday, June 15, Bingley appeared in court for sentencing. Prosecutor John Farmer noted that there was no victim impact statement submitted in the case, but emphasized the seriousness of the offences. The judge, Anthony Bate, sentenced Bingley to a total of six years in prison. In his remarks, Judge Bate highlighted that a lengthy custodial sentence was unavoidable given the gravity of the crimes. He pointed out the clear disparity in age between Bingley and his young victim, underscoring the predatory nature of the offending.

The judge detailed how Bingley’s misconduct escalated over time, beginning with text communications and culminating in secret meetings. These meetings occurred initially at his residence in Dereham and later in his vehicle at various locations around the town. As part of the sentence, Bingley was also subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was placed on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.