LEE HOWELS FROM STOKE SENTENCED FOR GROOMING SHEFFIELD SCHOOLGIRL AND POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local communities, Lee Howells, a 25-year-old man from Stoke, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for engaging in the grooming of a teenage girl from Sheffield via online platforms. The court also ordered that Howells be placed on the sexual offender register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the danger he posed to minors.

According to court proceedings, the victim, a 14-year-old girl whose identity remains protected, initiated communication with Howells through a chatroom. Over the course of nearly a year, the two exchanged numerous messages, during which Howells exploited her naivety and vulnerability. The grooming culminated in a meeting in Sheffield in May of the previous year, where sexual touching occurred. The court was told that Howells had also persuaded her to meet with an older man, identified as Jeremy, the following day.

Prosecutor Ms. Louise Gallagher detailed the events, stating: “Jeremy met her in a car park near her address after school. She was still wearing her school uniform and believed she was meeting someone to get to know each other better. However, Jeremy, who claimed to be 47, attempted to touch her sexually, and she told him to stop.”

It was revealed that the victim confided in a fellow school pupil about the incident, which led to the authorities becoming involved. Police subsequently searched Howells’ residence on Linburn Road in Stoke, uncovering four DVDs containing indecent images of children, further evidence of his predatory behavior.

During the trial, Howells pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including arranging or facilitating a child sex offence, meeting a female under 16 following sexual grooming, and three counts of making indecent photographs of a child. His defense attorney, Robert Smith, acknowledged the shame brought upon Howells’ family, emphasizing that he was a loving son and boyfriend who was respected prior to these allegations.

Judge Roger Keen QC addressed the court, stating: “It must have been perfectly obvious this girl was naive and vulnerable. You deliberately behaved in a predatory fashion.” The sentence reflects the gravity of Howells’ actions and the ongoing concern for the safety of minors in the community.