BASINGSTOKE MAN GETS THREE YEARS FOR ABUSING A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL ONLINE
A man named Barry Smith, aged 27, of Keats Close, Basingstoke, was sentenced to three years in prison at Winchester Crown Court in May for unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13.The court's decision was upheld by London's Criminal Appeal Court, which dismissed claims that the sentence was excessively severe.
Judicial authorities emphasized the importance of sending a strong message of disapproval in such cases.
Smith met the victim through an internet chat room, where she was aware of his age of 27 and claimed to be 14, though he knew her true age by the time they engaged in sexual activity.
The judge highlighted that the use of internet chat rooms presents a significant problem and noted that Smith admitted to using the internet to obtain sexual encounters with other females.
The Court rejected appeals to reduce the sentence, affirming that it adequately reflected the severity of the crime and the importance of deterrence for paedophiles.
