KEVIN EMPTAGE SHOCKS CLEETHORPES WITH SEXUAL GROOMING AND ABUSE OF 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Cleethorpes, Kevin Emptage, a 51-year-old man, has been convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses involving a young girl. The court heard that Emptage, a married father of two, engaged in a pattern of grooming and exploiting a 13-year-old schoolgirl over a period of several months, primarily through an extensive exchange of explicit messages and physical meetings.

According to evidence presented at Grimsby Crown Court, investigations into Emptage’s activities were initiated following circulating rumors about a close and inappropriate relationship between him and the young girl. Authorities uncovered thousands of text messages exchanged between the two, many of which contained highly sexual content. Prosecutor Gordon Stables detailed that Emptage had sent numerous texts of a sexual nature, including indecent images, which further highlighted the severity of his misconduct.

The court was told that the relationship escalated from January 30 to June 26 of the previous year, during which Emptage and the girl began to meet regularly. These meetings often took place in his vehicle, sometimes before she left for school, lasting around 15 minutes on several days each week. On weekends, their encounters extended to longer periods, sometimes up to six hours, with Emptage driving her to secluded locations where they engaged in sexual activity. The evidence indicated that they had sexual relations on more than a dozen occasions within this four-month span. Emptage also made promises to the girl, including vows to marry her and plans to leave his wife and children, which he expressed during their interactions.

Remarkably, the court heard that Emptage and the girl became engaged on May 31 of the previous year, with him presenting her with a ring. Although she lost the ring, he replaced it with another. The relationship was characterized by a disturbing level of manipulation, with Emptage seemingly targeting the girl and increasing his pursuit as he became more successful in his grooming efforts. The girl’s mother provided a statement expressing the profound and irreversible impact of Emptage’s actions, describing her daughter’s psychological deterioration, including self-harming behaviors and a loss of innocence. She emphasized her inability to forgive Emptage for the trauma inflicted.

The young girl also gave a statement, revealing her complex feelings about the ordeal. She expressed confusion and emotional turmoil, questioning whether Emptage ever truly loved her or if his words were merely manipulative. Despite her pain, she conveyed a desire to move forward but admitted that the memories remain painful. She acknowledged that part of her still loved him, while another part wished for his imprisonment for the harm caused.

In addition to the abuse of the 13-year-old, Emptage was found to have taken ten indecent photographs of another girl, aged 16, on or before January 22 of the previous year. The two had connected via Facebook, exchanged sexual messages, and shared intimate images, further demonstrating Emptage’s pattern of predatory behavior. His actions were described as serious offenses, but his defense argued that he had shown remorse and regret. It was noted that Emptage had no prior convictions and was generally regarded as a caring family man, with references highlighting his courteous, reliable, and supportive nature.

Nevertheless, the court did not overlook the gravity of his crimes. Recorder Tahir Khan QC sentenced Emptage to six years and four months in prison. Additionally, he was handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. The judge emphasized the gross breach of trust and the calculated grooming behavior that characterized Emptage’s actions, condemning his exploitation of a vulnerable young girl and the significant disparity in age and power between them. The court’s verdict underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are regarded and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from predators like Kevin Emptage.