JAMES LACY FROM HELSTON AND NOTTINGHAM SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND PRETENDING TO BE POLICE OFFICER

In a case that has shocked the communities of Helston and Nottingham, James Lacy, a 23-year-old man with a troubling history, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of serious child sexual offences. The incident dates back to 2013, during which Lacy engaged in manipulative and predatory behavior aimed at a vulnerable 15-year-old girl.

According to court records, Lacy, who originally resided in Helston before relocating to Nottingham, used deception and false identities to groom his young victim. He falsely presented himself as a trainee police officer, a tactic he employed to gain her trust and lower her defenses. His online communications, which included texts, calls, and Skype messages, also suggested that he was aspiring to become a social worker, further attempting to appear trustworthy and respectable.

At the time of the offences, Lacy was living in Plymouth, but he has since moved to Bransdale Road, Nottingham, and changed his name to James Adams. His criminal activities spanned from August to December 2013, during which he admitted to multiple charges, including engaging in sexual activity with a child, causing a child to participate in sexual acts, encouraging a child to watch sexual acts, inciting a child into pornography, and possessing or making indecent images of a child.

Judge Paul Darlow presided over the case at Plymouth Crown Court, where he sentenced Lacy to two years and eight months in prison. The judge emphasized the severity of Lacy’s actions, stating, “You latched on to this girl despite becoming aware of her vulnerabilities. This went beyond the acts of a foolish or misguided loner.” The court heard that Lacy deliberately targeted the girl, knowing her age and her status under social services care, and attempted to manipulate her through various means.

Prosecutor Lee Bremridge detailed the progression of their communication, revealing that the two initially connected over social media during the summer of 2013. Their interactions escalated to phone calls, text messages, and Skype conversations, during which Lacy made concerted efforts to impress her and groom her for sexual activity. Bremridge pointed out that Lacy’s false claims of being a police trainee and aspiring social worker were strategic moves to gain her trust.

The court was also informed that the girl, her mother, and her brother traveled from their home in another part of the country to Plymouth. Their visit was partly to tour a nearby college and partly for a week-long holiday. During this period, the girl later told police that she engaged in sexual activity with Lacy almost every day of their visit.

Defence lawyer Piers Norsworthy argued that the sexual relationship occurred when the girl was close to her 16th birthday, suggesting that if their trip had been delayed, the main offence might not have occurred. Norsworthy emphasized that Lacy did not seek out underage victims intentionally and claimed that their relationship was based on a genuine friendship. He also mentioned that Lacy, at the time, was a student struggling with heavy drinking but had since reduced his alcohol consumption and was planning to establish an IT business.

Following the sentencing, it was announced that Lacy has been released from custody and has relocated to Nottingham, where he has adopted the name James Adams. Authorities continue to monitor his activities as part of ongoing efforts to prevent further harm.