MATTHEW GOMEZ FROM NETHERLEY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING TEENAGE GIRLS NEAR LIVERPOOL AND WIDNES

In January 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Matthew Gomez, a man from Netherley, who engaged in a series of heinous sexual offences against young girls. Gomez, then aged 20, targeted two 13-year-old girls through Snapchat, a popular social media platform among teenagers. He pretended to be 16 years old to gain their trust and manipulate them into engaging with him.

Gomez's grooming tactics included sending explicit images of himself to the girls and requesting that they reciprocate by sending him sexual photographs. His actions extended beyond online communication; he secretly recorded images of the children, capturing their private moments without their knowledge or consent. The court heard that Gomez used an iPad to film and permanently store indecent photos and videos sent to him via his mobile phone by five different girls from Merseyside and Cheshire, some as young as eight years old.

Prosecutor Steven Swift detailed that among these victims was a girl aged just eight, who was shown dancing with her sister in a bedroom. Gomez admitted to possessing three counts of indecent images, including Category A files, which are classified as the most serious. He claimed that he did not believe the girls were under 16, a stance he maintained during the proceedings. However, Judge Denis Watson, QC, clarified that a trial on this specific point was unnecessary, as Gomez’s overall sentence would not be affected by his denial.

Gomez’s criminal record includes convictions from a December trial for even more serious offences. He was found guilty of five sexual offences involving a 13-year-old girl and two offences involving another girl of the same age in 2017. Both victims stated they told Gomez they were 13, but he claimed to believe they were 16. Gomez denied knowing their true ages or lying about them.

The court established that Gomez caused one girl to watch a sexual act by sending her a photo of himself masturbating. He also caused another girl to engage in sexual activity by requesting a nude photo, which she sent, and he subsequently sent her a photo of his genitals. Gomez was convicted of meeting a child following sexual grooming after traveling to Widnes to meet one of the girls and then taking her to the woods, where the abuse occurred.

Further convictions included touching the girl with his penis during sexual activity, and repeatedly asking for sex during their meeting. The court also found Gomez guilty of causing a second girl to watch a sexual act by sending her a photo of himself masturbating, and of encouraging her to engage in sexual activity by requesting and receiving a photo of her performing a sex act.

Judge Watson highlighted Gomez’s clear sexual interest in younger girls, noting his awareness of Snapchat’s popularity among teenagers willing to flirt and meet. The judge described Gomez as being skilled in using a second device to film and store images of the victims, demonstrating elements of planning, grooming, targeting, and persistence in his offending.

Addressing the first victim, who Gomez took to the woods, Judge Watson remarked that “these are events that she will never forget.” He also referenced a medical report indicating Gomez’s physical and psychological development had been affected by his actions, contributing to his interest in younger girls. The judge expressed concern over Gomez’s continued denial of the verdicts, despite accepting the jury’s findings, suggesting a possible willingness to address his behaviour.

Gomez was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. Additionally, an indefinite restraining order was imposed to protect his victims. He was ordered to register as a sex offender and to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for an indefinite period, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further harm.