RICHARD CARROLL GROOMS SCHOOLGIRL IN GOOLE: SHOCKING SEX OFFENCES REVEALED

In January 2015, a disturbing case emerged involving Richard Carroll, a 38-year-old engineer from Goole, who was convicted of grooming a 14-year-old girl through social media. The case unfolded after a five-day trial at Hull Crown Court, where the jury found Carroll guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor under the age of 16.

Carroll, who manages his family’s central heating business in Goole, had developed a manipulative relationship with the teenage girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons. The court heard that he had sent her hundreds of messages on Facebook, gradually building an emotional connection that led to him convincing her that she was in love with him. His actions included inviting her to his home for sex, all while knowing that his girlfriend, a hairdresser, was at work.

Judge David Tremberg addressed Carroll’s actions during sentencing, stating, "You groomed the girl. In my judgment, there was significant emotional harm. The offence was carefully planned. She was a schoolgirl and you knew it." The judge emphasized the premeditated nature of the grooming and the emotional damage inflicted.

At the time of the offences, Carroll was engaged to his girlfriend of five years. The court was told that he first met the girl when she was just 13 years old, and their interactions quickly became flirtatious. Carroll invited her to feel his muscles, claiming he was "not an old man," and complimented her appearance, telling her how attractive he thought she was.

During the trial, Carroll denied any physical or sexual contact with the girl, asserting, "I did not touch, kiss or sexually touch her." However, he admitted to initiating contact via Facebook, where he saw her in school uniform and acknowledged that his messages became increasingly risky over time. He admitted that she started saying, "I love you," and that he responded by saying it back on a few occasions, despite initially dismissing her feelings.

The girl testified that she had told Carroll she was only 13 when they first met. She described her feelings of love and her fear of telling her mother, fearing that her mother would contact the police. She revealed that she kept her relationship with Carroll secret to avoid adult intervention.

Within just three months of their initial contact, Carroll was sending her hundreds of Facebook messages, and they even discussed eloping. The girl recounted that they became very close online, with her avoiding using certain words like "XXX" to prevent others from seeing their exchanges. She explained that Carroll would sometimes threaten to stop talking to her if she did not text him, especially if she did not respond immediately.

In his defense, Carroll accused the girl of being a "fantasist," claiming that she had fabricated stories about their interactions. He admitted that he should not have sent her certain messages, but insisted that she had misinterpreted or exaggerated what had happened.

During sentencing, Edward Bindloss, representing Carroll, highlighted the potential consequences for Carroll’s family business, which was established by his father. He argued that the ongoing fallout from the case had already caused customers to cancel orders, and that Carroll’s reputation in Goole was irreparably damaged, making it impossible for him to continue working there.

Ultimately, Carroll was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. Additionally, he was issued a sexual offences prevention order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the need for ongoing monitoring to protect the community.