LEE WHITTESTON CAUGHT IN EASINGTON SEX GROOMING SCANDAL NEAR SALTBURN

In February 2017, a disturbing case of online grooming and predatory behavior unfolded involving Lee Whittleston, a 22-year-old man from Easington, near Saltburn. The incident drew significant attention from local authorities and the courts, highlighting the dangers posed by individuals who exploit the innocence of underage girls.

According to court records, Whittleston had initially posed as a teenage schoolboy, claiming to be 15 years old in his online interactions. His deception was part of a calculated effort to establish contact with underage girls, and he succeeded in meeting one of them, a 14-year-old girl, on two separate occasions. During these meetings, the interactions remained relatively mild, involving only kisses and cuddles, but the underlying intent was clearly more sinister.

Durham Crown Court heard that Whittleston boasted to others during one of these encounters that the girl was his girlfriend, despite her still wearing her school uniform at the time. His behavior demonstrated a disturbing level of manipulation and a blatant disregard for boundaries. The situation escalated when Whittleston attempted to arrange a third meeting with the girl, with the explicit intention of engaging in sexual activity. Fortunately, her mother became suspicious after receiving a late-night phone call and intervened, putting an immediate stop to any further plans.

Despite being warned to cease contact, the girl's mother later discovered that Whittleston had continued to send her daughter numerous messages. Some of these messages were threatening, including threats of self-harm if the girl did not comply with his demands. This coercive behavior underscored the manipulative tactics he employed to try to control the situation.

As the first case was being addressed, Whittleston shifted his focus to a second girl, aged 13. Initially, he claimed to be 15 or 16 years old in his communications with her. Although her friend, the first girl, warned her that Whittleston's behavior was “weird,” she engaged in messaging with him for about a month. During this period, he expressed love for her and claimed to know her address, further attempting to establish a connection.

When she refused to meet him for sex, advising him to wait until she was older, Whittleston responded with threats of self-harm, insisting that he loved her and that her refusal would lead to him killing himself. He told her that if she did not meet him, it would be her fault. The girl described his conduct as “creepy,” and she became increasingly wary of being alone, fearing further manipulation or harm.

Eventually, her conversation with the first girl revealed that Whittleston was attempting to groom her, prompting her to report his activities to the police. Authorities swiftly responded, leading to his arrest. During questioning, Whittleston initially denied knowing the girls' ages but later admitted to sending one of them “some bad messages.”

Now 22, residing on Abingdon Road in Easington near Saltburn, Whittleston faced multiple charges. He pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and an additional charge of meeting an underage girl following sexual grooming.

Judge Simon Hickey sentenced Whittleston to two years in prison. In his remarks, the judge emphasized that despite being warned to stop, Whittleston had continued to emotionally manipulate and blackmail the vulnerable girls into accepting his advances. As part of his sentence, Whittleston was subjected to a 15-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting future contact with underage females, and was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, underscoring the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.