PREDATOR JAILED AFTER TARGETING GIRL ON SNAPCHAT
A man received a six-year prison sentence and will be under lifelong police supervision after confessing to engaging in sexual activities with a minor he groomed via social media.Lewis Plane initially denied the charges but changed his plea at the start of his trial at Ipswich Crown Court in December of the previous year.
Essex Police’s Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) team conducted thorough investigations, leading to Plane’s arrest and questioning.
He chose not to respond to any inquiries.
The 33-year-old contacted the victim on Snapchat in October 2023.
Using a fake profile, he asked her to add him as a friend and claimed he was 17.
Despite knowing her age, Plane sent numerous inappropriate and sexual messages, including videos of himself performing indecent acts.
Subsequently, he informed her that his profile kept getting shut down.
They then exchanged phone numbers and communicated via WhatsApp.
Within a few weeks of their initial online interaction, they arranged to meet in Clacton, and later met in Colchester.
These encounters occurred regularly, with the victim believing she was in a romantic relationship with Plane.
This pattern of meetings continued until the spring of 2025 when the victim ceased contact.
During a separate investigation, officers identified the victim and spoke with her.
After sensitive questioning, she was able to confirm her experiences.
Faced with substantial evidence, Plane admitted to three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, communicating sexually with a child, and engaging in controlling or coercive behavior within an intimate or family relationship.
On February 6 at Ipswich Crown Court, Plane was sentenced to six years in prison.
He is also subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an indefinite restraining order.
