YEOVIL MAN CHRISTOPHER FLINDELL SHOCKS COMMUNITY WITH SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING TEENAGERS
| Red Rose Database
Yeovil Child Sexual Abuser
In January 2014, a disturbing case emerged from Yeovil involving Christopher Flindell, a 25-year-old man residing on Balmoral Road, who engaged in manipulative and predatory behavior towards teenage girls through social media platforms. The case was brought before Taunton Crown Court, where it was revealed that Flindell had exploited the innocence of two young victims, aged 13 and 14, by persuading them to send him explicit images of themselves.
According to court proceedings, Flindell, who has Asperger syndrome, falsely presented himself as a 15-year-old in messages exchanged with the girls. Prosecutor William Hunter detailed that the communications quickly turned sexual in nature, with one girl believing that Flindell had performed a sexual act while on the phone with her. The exchanges included naked photographs from both victims, and Flindell reciprocated with intimate images, all while knowing their true ages. The court was shown evidence of indecent images of both girls stored on Flindell’s phone.
When Flindell was arrested in January 2012, he initially claimed that the girls were older than they actually were, attempting to deny any wrongdoing. The case highlighted the dangers of social media, with the judge emphasizing the significant harm caused to the victims. The court heard emotional statements from the girls’ parents and the victims themselves. One girl described feeling overwhelmed by stress, missing school, and feeling exploited, with her statement revealing her struggle with self-esteem, stating, “When I look at myself in the mirror I sometimes feel disgusted and feel there’s a layer of grime on my body.”
The parents of the other girl expressed their distress, stating that Flindell had exploited their “beautiful, loving and kind” daughter’s insecurities for his own sexual gratification. Flindell pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including five counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, three counts of inciting a child into prostitution or pornography, two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of making indecent images.
During sentencing, defense lawyer Rebecca Bradberry referenced a psychological assessment and noted the unusual circumstances surrounding Flindell’s case. She also mentioned that he had ongoing support from his mother. Despite these factors, Judge David Ticehurst made it clear that Flindell’s mental health issues did not excuse his actions. The judge carefully considered whether to impose a prison sentence but ultimately decided on a community order for three years, which includes supervision.
In his remarks, Judge Ticehurst highlighted the serious impact social media can have on vulnerable individuals, citing the victims’ statements as evidence of the profound harm inflicted. The judge described the effects on one girl, who felt stressed, exploited, and blamed herself for what happened. The judge also pointed out that Flindell’s actions had exploited the trust and innocence of the girls, emphasizing that he was fully aware of what he was doing.
Furthermore, Flindell was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years. The judge urged him to seek support from the probation service and to heed his parents’ advice, warning that if he reoffended, he would face imprisonment. The case served as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable young people from exploitation.
According to court proceedings, Flindell, who has Asperger syndrome, falsely presented himself as a 15-year-old in messages exchanged with the girls. Prosecutor William Hunter detailed that the communications quickly turned sexual in nature, with one girl believing that Flindell had performed a sexual act while on the phone with her. The exchanges included naked photographs from both victims, and Flindell reciprocated with intimate images, all while knowing their true ages. The court was shown evidence of indecent images of both girls stored on Flindell’s phone.
When Flindell was arrested in January 2012, he initially claimed that the girls were older than they actually were, attempting to deny any wrongdoing. The case highlighted the dangers of social media, with the judge emphasizing the significant harm caused to the victims. The court heard emotional statements from the girls’ parents and the victims themselves. One girl described feeling overwhelmed by stress, missing school, and feeling exploited, with her statement revealing her struggle with self-esteem, stating, “When I look at myself in the mirror I sometimes feel disgusted and feel there’s a layer of grime on my body.”
The parents of the other girl expressed their distress, stating that Flindell had exploited their “beautiful, loving and kind” daughter’s insecurities for his own sexual gratification. Flindell pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including five counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, three counts of inciting a child into prostitution or pornography, two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of making indecent images.
During sentencing, defense lawyer Rebecca Bradberry referenced a psychological assessment and noted the unusual circumstances surrounding Flindell’s case. She also mentioned that he had ongoing support from his mother. Despite these factors, Judge David Ticehurst made it clear that Flindell’s mental health issues did not excuse his actions. The judge carefully considered whether to impose a prison sentence but ultimately decided on a community order for three years, which includes supervision.
In his remarks, Judge Ticehurst highlighted the serious impact social media can have on vulnerable individuals, citing the victims’ statements as evidence of the profound harm inflicted. The judge described the effects on one girl, who felt stressed, exploited, and blamed herself for what happened. The judge also pointed out that Flindell’s actions had exploited the trust and innocence of the girls, emphasizing that he was fully aware of what he was doing.
Furthermore, Flindell was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years. The judge urged him to seek support from the probation service and to heed his parents’ advice, warning that if he reoffended, he would face imprisonment. The case served as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable young people from exploitation.