NEATH MAN JAILED FOR GROOMING SCHOOLGIRL AND GETTING HER PREGNANT
A man sexually groomed a schoolgirl and got her pregnant, a court has heard.Liam Peat then lied about not knowing the real age of the child, a lie he maintained until the day of the trial when the young victim appeared in court to give evidence against him.
Swansea Crown Court was told that Peat's actions caused the girl to feel "worthless" to the extent she no longer wanted to be around him.
Despite the trauma, she expressed her determination to not let the experience take over her life.
Prosecutor Dyfed Thomas stated that when Peat first began messaging the girl on Snapchat, she was only 13 and he was 19.
They started meeting secretly, and the girl confided in him about personal issues, establishing a trust between them.
As their communication advanced, it became sexual, with Peat requesting intimate pictures and sending a video of himself masturbating.
He then instructed her to delete their messages.
The court heard that the sexual activity occurred several times when the girl was aged 14 and 15, with protection rarely used.
The prosecution argued that Peat groomed and manipulated her.
The offending culminated in the girl becoming pregnant and informing her mother, leading to police intervention.
When questioned, Peat claimed the sexual activity was consensual, believing the girl was older, as she had told him she was in college.
In a statement read to the court, the girl expressed that Peat's actions had a "massive effect" on her life, making her feel worthless but also claiming she would not allow it to dominate her future.
Liam Peat, aged 25 and residing in Crynant, Neath, pleaded guilty on the day of the trial to two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.
Although he has no prior convictions, he has two cautions for battery from incidents on nights out.
The court sentenced him to 45 months in prison, noting a 10% reduction for his guilty plea.
He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.
Peat will be registered as a sex offender for life and is subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
