LEWIS HOWCROFT AND SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSE IN WINCHESTER

A teenager from Hampshire has narrowly escaped serving immediate prison time after engaging in a disturbing sexual act on himself during a video call with a 12-year-old girl. The incident drew courtroom attention at Winchester Crown Court, where it was detailed how Lewis Howcroft, aged 19, was involved in conversations with the young victim via the video calling platform Skype, and had also been conducting illegal online searches prior to being caught by law enforcement authorities.

The court heard that Howcroft, a resident of Northington Down near Alresford in Hampshire, claimed that the girl had asked him to perform a sexual act on camera. He allegedly initially refused this request, but the court was told that this claim could not be substantiated by evidence. The serious nature of his actions was brought to light when the victim’s parents discovered messages on their daughter’s mobile phone, which prompted them to contact the police authorities, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges.

Howcroft admitted to the charge of causing a child to view an image of a person engaging in sexual activity. Prosecutor Colin Meeke presented evidence indicating that there were chat logs exchanged with the girl that were highly sexualized, pointing to a troubling pattern of communication. He emphasized that Howcroft was aware of the girl’s young age and suggested there was evidence pointing toward grooming behavior. The prosecutor stated, “What is abundantly clear is he knew how young she was, there is evidence of some grooming. He did not seek to deny the matters.”

Further, Mr. Meeke highlighted that the defendant had conducted multiple disturbing searches on the internet over an extended period, which indicated a pattern of inappropriate and illegal online activity.

In mitigation, defense solicitor Chloe Jay addressed the court, arguing that Howcroft “lacked the emotional maturity of an adult,” suggesting that his age and psychological state were relevant to his case. The court also considered a psychological report, which detailed the defendant’s “mental conditions,” and noted the adverse consequences he had already faced, including losing his job, his place at college, and being ostracized by his social circles. The report also mentioned that both Howcroft and his family had been harassed by paedophile hunters, adding to his psychological distress.

The court recalled that the offences took place in November 2016, when Howcroft was just 18 years old. Ultimately, Judge Pawson sentenced him to a three-year community order, which included conditions such as a 60-day rehabilitation program and the requirement to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Delivering his verdict, Judge Pawson remarked: “You caused a child to watch a highly sexualized act. Whether she did or didn’t ask is neither here nor there, she was 12. I have seen and heard about the various searches you made on the internet, some of that is likely to have been down to the curiosity of a teenage person, but some of that goes beyond curiosity.”

Additionally, Howcroft was ordered to pay a victim surcharge as part of his sentencing. The case underscores the serious legal and moral implications of online grooming and the exploitation of minors, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding children from such predatory behavior in the digital age.