CHELTEHN MAN CARL SMITH, 22, SENTENCED TO TWO AND A HALF YEARS FOR SEX WITH 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In November 2010, Carl Smith, aged 22, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after grooming a 14-year-old girl for sexual activity via a social networking site.

Gloucester Crown Court heard that Smith, from Templefields, Andoversford, had previously been convicted of a sexual assault against another girl of the same age. The court revealed that Smith met the latest victim on three occasions for sexual encounters in Cheltenham.

Judge William Hart stated, “You met this girl over a social networking site. You groomed her to the extent that she agreed to have sex with you. In my judgment you are unwilling to acknowledge you have a specific sexual interest in underage girls.”

Prosecutor Kannan Siva explained that Smith began engaging in sexual activity with the girl within months of completing a community order for his earlier offence. Smith had contacted her online and arranged to meet, but he was not charged for the initial incident because he claimed he believed she was 16.

However, Smith later admitted to knowing her true age during two subsequent meetings, when he engaged in sexual activity with her. He pleaded guilty in February to two charges of sexual activity with a child under 16.

When questioned by police, Smith reportedly said, “I knew she was 14, but she wanted to have sex,” and showed police texts from the girl indicating her willingness. Mr. Siva noted, “He also said he knew what he had done was wrong, a complaint was made to the police in June, and he was arrested on July 1, with his admissions coming promptly.”

Defense solicitor Carole Knotts requested the court to impose a new community order with specific requirements, citing Smith’s mental health issues and previous suicide attempts. She emphasized, “He is a young man with a number of problems including his mental stability. He has tried to take his own life. He is a young man who would clearly find custody very, very difficult.”