DAVID ARROWSMITH FROM NUNEATON AND TELFORD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL MESSAGE OFFENSES INVOLVING A GIRL
In October 2016, a disturbing case emerged involving David Arrowsmith, a man with ties to both Telford and Nuneaton, who was found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and illegal communication with a minor.The court proceedings revealed that Arrowsmith, formerly the landlord of the Foresters Arms pub located in Madeley, Telford, had been involved in a series of concerning exchanges with a young girl, which included sexually explicit messages.
According to court records, Arrowsmith, aged 47 at the time, had pleaded guilty to three counts of inciting a child under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity.
These offences reportedly took place during December of the previous year, casting a dark shadow over his conduct during that period.
The court heard that Arrowsmith had since moved away from Telford, relocating to Bucks Hill in Nuneaton, a decision influenced by the nature of his offences and the subsequent legal proceedings.
Mrs.
Debra White, representing Arrowsmith, emphasized that her client had taken full responsibility for his actions.
She noted that he had already spent three months in custody at Hewell Prison in Redditch while on remand.
White also highlighted that Arrowsmith was a man with a partner and a young child, underscoring the personal impact and the gravity of his misconduct.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Peter Barrie addressed Arrowsmith directly, condemning his behavior as highly damaging and inappropriate.
The judge pointed out that the exchanges between Arrowsmith and the girl involved highly explicit phone messages sent over the Christmas period, which constituted clear incitement to serious sexual activity.
Judge Barrie made it clear that Arrowsmith should not have exploited the situation and should have ensured that no harm or further misconduct occurred.
It was also clarified during the proceedings that no penetrative sexual activity resulted from the messages exchanged.
Despite the guilty plea, Judge Barrie acknowledged that the offences were serious and could have led to a custodial sentence had the case gone to trial.
However, given that Arrowsmith had already served time on remand, the judge decided that a community order would be a more appropriate punishment.
As part of his sentence, Arrowsmith was handed a 12-month community order and mandated to complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement, which included a program specifically designed for sex offenders.
Additionally, the judge imposed strict conditions requiring Arrowsmith to inform police of his whereabouts for the next five years.
A five-year sexual harm prevention order was also issued, and Arrowsmith was barred from working with children for an indefinite period, with the exact duration to be determined in future proceedings.
This case underscores the serious consequences of exploiting minors through digital communication and highlights the ongoing efforts of the justice system to address and prevent such offences.
