RICHARD CHALMERS FROM MARCH SENTENCED FOR GROOMING UNDERAGE GIRLS IN CAMBRIDGE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of March and the surrounding areas, Richard Chalmers, aged 26, has been found guilty of engaging in online grooming activities targeting underage girls. The incident, which took place over several years, culminated in his sentencing at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday, February 28.

Chalmers, who resides at New Park in March, had established online friendships with teenage girls through various social networking platforms. His interactions were not innocent; he sent explicit messages and made inappropriate comments about their appearances, specifically referencing their school uniforms. These messages were sent in January and February of 2011, when he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl. The young girl’s parents and school authorities became aware of his inappropriate conduct, which led to police involvement.

His criminal activities did not stop there. In August 2011, Chalmers was arrested and questioned by authorities regarding the messages he had sent to the 13-year-old girl. Despite the investigation, he continued his offending behavior into early 2012, when he began sending messages to a 14-year-old girl. This pattern of grooming and exploitation was not his first; records show that he had previously been investigated in 2009 for similar conduct involving a 13-year-old girl. During the investigation, authorities also discovered indecent images stored on his computer, further implicating him in sexual offenses.

Chalmers pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of making indecent photographs and two charges of inciting a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity. Additionally, two more charges related to attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming attempts were ordered to remain on his criminal record. His sentencing included a two-year community order, which requires him to undergo specialized sex offender treatment. Furthermore, he was issued a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which explicitly prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with girls under 16, using the internet to contact minors, or accessing any device capable of internet browsing unless it records his browsing history. Police will also have the authority to examine his computer and any digital devices capable of storing images.

Chalmers has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. Detective Constable Tade Toseland commented on the case, emphasizing the gravity of Chalmers’ actions: “Chalmers befriended these young girls online. He was fully aware of their age as he made reference to their school uniforms, and tried to take advantage of their vulnerability. Thankfully, the victims did not agree to meet up with him and alerted their parents or schoolteachers. We would always encourage parents to notify police if they suspect their child has been contacted by older people online.”