GARY BLOUNT FROM BLETHERSTON FACES JAIL AFTER GROOMING 14-YEAR-OLD IN SWANSEA

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Bletherston and the surrounding areas, Gary Blount, a 39-year-old man from Lower Bletherston, has been convicted of grooming a 14-year-old girl for sexual activity. The incident came to light during proceedings at Swansea Crown Court, where Blount unexpectedly changed his plea to guilty on the morning of his trial, having initially denied all allegations against him.

Blount admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the young girl, which included kissing her in a sexual manner and encouraging her to participate in further sexual acts. The prosecution, led by Ian Wright, detailed how Blount had befriended the girl and repeatedly kissed her on several occasions. Additionally, Blount had sent her a series of text messages that were both explicit and inappropriate. In some of these messages, he expressed his desire to be in bed with her, while others suggested he wanted to shower with her, which further highlighted the disturbing nature of his conduct.

The case took a serious turn when the girl’s mother grew suspicious of her daughter’s behavior. Concerned, she checked her daughter’s mobile phone and was horrified to discover the messages Blount had been sending. The content of these messages revealed a clear pattern of grooming and predatory behavior, which prompted immediate legal action.

During the court hearing, Judge Walters addressed Blount’s attempt to shift blame onto the victim, claiming that the girl had led him on and was partly responsible for what had transpired. The judge was unequivocal in his response, emphasizing that such a defense was unacceptable and that it was never the fault of a 14-year-old child. The court made it clear that Blount’s actions were serious enough to warrant significant penalties.

As part of his sentence, Blount was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Furthermore, he was ordered to be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which will restrict his activities and interactions for the next ten years. He is also required to register as a sex offender with the police for the same duration, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.

Earlier in June 2018, Blount had already been warned that his actions could lead to a custodial sentence. He had been due to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court after initially denying the charges but chose to change his plea to guilty on the day of the hearing. The court was informed that the charges involved two main aspects: first, kissing the girl in a sexual manner, and second, sending her a series of explicit messages. Blount’s guilty pleas were accepted, and he was granted bail until his sentencing date on July 2.

Judge Duncan Bould, who presided over the case, made it clear that the severity of the offenses meant that Blount was at risk of losing his liberty. The judge emphasized that the offending behavior exceeded the threshold for immediate custody, indicating a very real possibility of imprisonment. The victim was granted permission to view and listen to Blount’s guilty pleas, which added to the gravity of the proceedings.

In conclusion, Blount was ordered to register as a sex offender and to comply with the sexual harm prevention order, both of which will be in effect for ten years. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and swift legal action in protecting vulnerable minors from predatory individuals within the community of Bletherston and beyond.