LEE CAMPBELL HOUSTON OF YEOVIL ADMITS TO SENDING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT TEXTS AND EXPOSED HIMSELF TO GIRLS

In April 2010, a teenager from Yeovil, Lee Campbell Houston, aged 18, appeared in court after admitting to sending sexually explicit messages to two young girls. The court heard that Houston asked one girl for topless photographs and later exposed himself to another girl during a live webcam session.

One of the victims confided in her school matron after Houston requested an even more explicit photograph. Houston, of Murray-Smith Drive, Houndstone, pleaded guilty to two charges: causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and to sending sexually explicit text messages between June 30, 2009, and September 1, 2009. He also admitted to intentionally causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity by exposing himself and asking her to remove her clothing, on occasions in 2008 and 2009.

The court was told that, in early 2009, Houston, then 17, began texting with a 13-year-old girl, with the messages gradually becoming more sexual in nature. Prosecutor Tim Rutherford explained, “The girl told the defendant she was 13 and he stopped, but it then started again midway through the year. The messages soon became sexual but she replied to him and there was regular contact.

Then in late September, when Houston was 18, he requested topless photographs from the girl. She sent several pictures—two of which were topless. Houston then asked for a more explicit photo. The girl subsequently spoke to her school matron, leading to police intervention.”

Houston claimed he believed the girl was 16 or 17 and said he had no intention of meeting her. Additionally, Rutherford disclosed that two other girls aged 12 and 13 had been in contact with Houston, with the younger girl receiving sexual messages.

The prosecutor also highlighted a disturbing incident from late 2008, stating, “The two girls were at the younger girl’s home using a webcam when Houston showed his erect penis, which was viewed by both of them.” Houston admitted to having a webcam conversation but could not recall whether he exposed himself, though he suggested it was possible.

Representing Houston, Helena Suffield commented, “These actions were those of a young man acting foolishly. Unfortunately, technology today enables such behavior.

He recognizes the seriousness of his offenses, has moved on with his life, and is now employed. He maintains he was unaware of the girls’ true ages, but emphasizes that modern technology presents dangers to young people. The girls were happily communicating via text and messaging, and it was only when the last picture was requested that anyone else became aware of the situation.”