SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR LURID CRIMES
A sex offender, Christopher Smith, from Blackburn, appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday, March 28, having pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with a child aged 13 to 17, sexual activity in the presence of a child, trying to engage in sexual communications with a child, making a child watch an image of sexual activity, and attempting to incite a girl to engage in sexual acts.Police began investigating Smith in June 2022 after being alerted to online activity where he was sending explicit photos and videos of his genitals to individuals he believed were girls aged 13 or 14, but they were actually online predators posing as minors.
Smith also asked these perceived girls to send videos of themselves and encouraged them to perform sexual acts.
During the investigation, authorities found evidence of Smith engaging in sexual acts with a real young girl, aged around 12 or 13, between 2015 and 2017.
A victim statement highlighted the young girl was forced into sexual acts against her will at a very young age.
Smith's guilty plea to the decoy offences was made during a plea and trial preparation hearing on March 4, 2024, although he continued to deny contact offences until he changed his plea at trial.
The court heard that Smith’s actions were 'utterly lurid and despicable' and that he was considered a 'dangerous offender,' leading to a sentence of 10 years, with a six-year custodial sentence and a four-year extended licence.
He was also ordered to adhere to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will be subject to lifetime sexual offender notification requirements.
The judge noted Smith's apparent denial of his actions and referenced the victim’s bravery in coming forward, emphasising that every offense intrudes on a young person's life and that such behaviour is deeply wrong.
