KEIGHLEY MAN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER SEX CHAT WITH 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL
A judge in Bradford has granted a Keighley man, James Gribbin, aged 31, the opportunity to return to society after being given a second chance.Police located him after he failed to appear for a pre-trial hearing at Bradford Crown Court in July, eventually arresting him two weeks later through a warrant.
It was noted that Gribbin, residing on Ashbourne Road in Keighley, had spent the first 52 days of his detention in custody.
His barrister, Ella Embleton, explained that the time spent in jail had helped her client confront his personal issues.
She emphasized that Gribbin, who had no previous record of sexual offences, was overwhelmed by gambling debts and was avoiding dealing with his misconduct, which occurred in February and March 2023.
The court heard he had sent a friend request to a Snapchat account associated with a 12-year-old girl, and engaged in sexual chat with her.
When police officers, acting as the girl, said they were at school, Gribbin responded with flirtatious comments, including asking for a photo.
He also sent a video of a sexual act during the conversation.
This evidence was found on his phone after he was stopped for a driving infraction.
In August, Gribbin pleaded guilty to attempting to communicate sexually with a minor.
His defense stated that he was experiencing mental health difficulties at the time and had resorted to using cocaine and cannabis to deal with the anxiety related to his financial problems.
The court was told that he experienced significant distress earlier in 2023 but appeared to stabilize emotionally while in custody and showed remorse for his conduct.
Judge Abdul Iqbal described the offences as ongoing and serious, highlighting that Gribbin believed he was chatting with a 12-year-old girl and was sexually aroused by the thought of sex.
The court sentenced him to 13 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to participate in a 90-day sex offender program and a 55-day rehabilitative activity.
Additionally, he is to be registered as a sex offender for the next ten years and live under a sexual harm prevention order for this duration.
