2009: Man who groomed girl, 14, jailed

2009: MAN WHO GROOMED GIRL, 14, JAILED

A man from Kidderminster, aged 35, was sentenced to six months in prison at Worcester Crown Court after admitting to grooming a 14-year-old girl through online messaging.

Pound, who described himself as lonely and isolated due to the loss of part of his leg in an accident, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of seven years.

He pleaded guilty to charges of child grooming and downloading four explicit images from the internet.

The girl, who was pregnant and in foster care with a family in Kidderminster, met Pound when he visited her new home and they exchanged email addresses.

Authorities became involved after her foster mother grew suspicious of her computer activity.

Although their online relationship became sexualized, it did not progress further.

Pound temporarily left the country for America but was detained upon his return.

He denied engaging in any sexual activity.

Judge John Cavell commented that adult men who seek to connect with girls of 14 for sexual purposes should expect to face imprisonment, and he also issued a 10-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order.