DOMINIC ZAMMIT FROM MACCLESFIELD SENTENCED AFTER GROOMING AUTISTIC GIRL ONLINE IN STOCKPORT AND MALTA

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Dominic Zammit, a 24-year-old man from Macclesfield, was found guilty of grooming an autistic girl through social media platforms. The incident, which unfolded over a period of time, involved Zammit creating a fake online profile under a different name to approach vulnerable young girls with inappropriate and sexually explicit comments.

According to court proceedings, Zammit targeted a teenage girl who was described as suggestible, exploiting her trust and innocence. He persuaded her to perform sexual acts and to send explicit photographs of herself. The court heard that Zammit also threatened to send one of his acquaintances to have sex with her, further coercing her into compliance.

In a particularly shocking moment during the investigation, when the girl’s mother confronted Zammit about his actions, he responded with blatant disrespect and hostility. He reportedly said, “It’s not my fault you brought up a s**t,” displaying a disturbing attitude towards the serious allegations against him.

At Chester Crown Court, Zammit, who now resides in Victoria Park, Stockport, pleaded guilty to two charges: inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and arranging an act that would involve sexual activity with a minor. The presiding judge, Mr. Recorder Patrick Thompson, did not hold back in his condemnation of Zammit’s character, describing him as ‘seedy’ and expressing concern that imprisonment might not serve as an effective deterrent or rehabilitative measure for his behavior.

Sentencing Zammit to two years in prison, suspended for two years, the judge emphasized the severity of his misconduct. He stated, “You had a twisted sexual desire and incited a teenage girl to commit acts and send pictures of a compromising nature. You sent a series of obscene, disgusting requests to a child.”

Judge Thompson further condemned Zammit’s attitude, highlighting that his actions were driven by an inability to cope with adult relationships, leading him to seek gratification through exploiting vulnerable minors. The judge also pointed out the particularly heinous nature of Zammit’s conduct when the girl’s mother bravely contacted him to demand he cease his actions. In response, Zammit callously referred to the girl with a derogatory term, calling her a ‘s**t’.

The case took a further turn when Zammit’s online activities led to his eventual arrest. Authorities traced him to Malta, where he was located and detained upon his return to the UK. Zammit initially attempted to deny or downplay his involvement, claiming he had lost his laptop, had his phone stolen, and that another individual was trying to frame him. However, evidence against him was overwhelming.

During the court hearing, his defense lawyer, Philip Clemo, described Zammit as immature and suffering from low self-esteem. He argued that while the offences were serious, there was a significant difference between talking about such behaviour and actually acting on it. Zammit, who is currently engaged to be married, was also handed additional penalties. These include a two-year community order with supervision and participation in a sex offenders’ rehabilitation program. Furthermore, he was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that will remain in effect for ten years, prohibiting him from having any contact with children.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online grooming and exploitation, especially targeting the most vulnerable members of society in Macclesfield, Stockport, and beyond.