DERBY MAN CONVICTED OF GROOMING AND CHILD SEX OFFENCES
A man from Derby is facing a long spell behind bars after he was found guilty of several horrific offences.Christopher Shepherd, from Spondon, was found guilty by a jury of one count of rape of a girl under 13, one count of sexual assault of a girl under 13 and one count of meeting a girl under 16 following grooming.
During the trial at Stoke Crown Court, the 43-year-old also pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.
Staffordshire Police's investigation found that Shepherd had been speaking to several girls online between 2021 and 2022.
He sent and received indecent images during conversations with the victims.
The defendant also arranged to meet one of the victims, picking her up in his car before raping her.
After Shepherd was reported to the police in 2022, he was arrested, and the force began building a case against him.
Following the guilty verdicts, Shepherd has been remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing in April.
Detective Inspector Adam Goodger, from Staffordshire Police's child protection team, said: "I’m pleased that we have been able to achieve this conviction today and make sure that Shepherd was not able to escape his offending." "We are determined to take robust action against those responsible for these offences in Staffordshire and to seek the toughest possible punishment in court."
