GATESHEAD MAN MALCOLM WHITFIELD SENTENCED FOR GROOMING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In May 2019, Malcolm Whitfield, a man who appeared to be a respectable family man from Gateshead, was exposed for engaging in a disturbing pattern of grooming a young girl who was only 13 years old.Despite his outward appearance of stability and his professional role in training security industry professionals, Whitfield's true intentions revealed a dark and illegal obsession that lasted over a year.
Malcolm Whitfield, aged 65, exploited the vulnerability of the young girl by showering her with gifts, including high-value items, in an attempt to manipulate her into a sexual relationship.
His actions included taking her on trips, buying her ice cream, and even inviting her to his caravan for two days.
Family members believed he was taking her out when his wife was away, but in reality, it was just him and the girl alone during these visits.
Further evidence of his predatory behavior emerged when Whitfield offered to pay £100 for her to participate in a school trip.
He arranged to meet her at her school to hand over the money, but then threatened her by saying it would 'cost her' sex.
This coercive tactic underscored the severity of his misconduct.
In a particularly disturbing incident, Whitfield took three photographs of the girl’s clothed genital area while she was bending over.
He later deleted these images, claiming he was disgusted with himself, but the act itself was a clear indication of his inappropriate and illegal interest.
The court also heard that Whitfield kissed the girl on the lips, further demonstrating his inappropriate conduct.
Malcolm Whitfield ultimately pleaded guilty to charges of grooming and was sentenced to 28 months in prison at Newcastle Crown Court.
Judge Sarah Mallett emphasized the vulnerability of the young girl, stating, “She was a child whose life was extremely difficult to start with.
She was targeted because of her particular vulnerability, she was a particularly vulnerable child due to her personal circumstances.” In addition to his prison sentence, Whitfield, who resides on Windsor Avenue in Gateshead, is required to sign the sex offenders register for ten years.
He will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration, ensuring ongoing restrictions and monitoring to protect the community from further harm.
