GRANT PEARSON FROM SOUTH SHORE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN PRESTON

In a case that has drawn significant attention in the South Shore community, 19-year-old Grant Pearson has been sentenced to 12 months in custody after admitting to engaging in sexual activities with a minor. The incident, which took place in Preston, involved Pearson having sexual encounters with a 14-year-old girl, a situation that was brought to light during a court hearing at Preston Crown Court.

According to court records, Pearson, a resident of Aintree Road in South Shore, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child. The court was informed that the two had met unexpectedly at a bus stop, an encounter that eventually led to a series of communications and meetings. The prosecution, led by Hanifa Patel, emphasized that Pearson was fully aware of the girl’s age at the time of their interactions.

Further details revealed that after their initial meeting, the two continued to stay in contact through text messages and on Facebook, maintaining a relationship that was deemed inappropriate given the girl’s age. The girl’s mother eventually discovered what had transpired and promptly contacted the police, leading to Pearson’s arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

During the hearing, Pearson’s defense attorney, Janet Ironfield, acknowledged her client’s responsibility, stating, “He entirely accepts that he is to blame. He hasn’t sought to transfer any of the blame to the girl.” Ironfield also highlighted that there was a degree of genuine affection between Pearson and the girl, describing their interactions on Facebook as mainly flirtatious.

It was also noted during the proceedings that Pearson had experienced a difficult upbringing. His mother had died when he was just 13 years old, and later, his father left him in Singapore, leaving him to face his troubled years largely alone. The judge, Andrew Woolman, recognized these hardships and described there being “very profound mitigation” in Pearson’s case.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Woolman acknowledged the troubled background of Pearson, stating, “You had very troubled years,” and ultimately sentenced him to a year in custody, reflecting the seriousness of the offenses committed in South Shore and Preston.