NEIL MILNER OF SUNBURY AVOIDS JAIL DESPITE GROOMING TEEN IN KINGSTON

In September 2008, Neil Milner, a 65-year-old pensioner from Green Leas, Sunbury, was spared imprisonment after being convicted of grooming a 14-year-old girl and sending her explicit letters. Milner was sentenced to 45 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete a sex offender rehabilitation program. He was also placed under a supervision order and required to register as a sex offender.

Milner was found guilty by a jury in July of inciting the girl to engage in sexual activity. During the trial, court proceedings included the viewing of police interview footage, in which the victim described how Milner groomed her and her friend by offering them alcohol and cigarettes, while making lewd comments. Two explicit letters written by Milner and handed to the girl in July of the previous year were read aloud in court.

Judge QC Nicholas Price criticized the letter, describing it as "revolting," and remarked that the grooming process was "not simply done on the spur of the moment but was a culmination of a long and detailed grooming process which may have lasted as long as 18 months." He expressed concern over Milner’s high risk of harm to children following an assessment.

Representing Milner, Steven Hadley noted that the defendant had a previously good character. He pointed out that the pre-sentence report cited a high risk of offending, but also suggested elsewhere that the likelihood of re-offending was low.

As a result of the ruling, Milner must also sign the sex offenders’ register. Under the supervision order, he is prohibited from befriending anyone under 16, allowing anyone under 18 into his home without their parents or guardians present, and entering the homes of minors without supervision. Additionally, he is barred from participating in work or recreational activities involving young people.