ROSS PICKERILL FROM KNUTTON SENTENCED FOR GROOMING YOUNG GIRLS IN NORTH EAST

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Knutton and the surrounding North East region, 19-year-old Ross Pickerill was sentenced to a substantial prison term after being found guilty of targeting and exploiting young girls for sexual purposes. The court heard that Pickerill, who was 17 and 18 years old at the time of the offenses, engaged in a series of manipulative and predatory behaviors aimed at vulnerable minors.

According to court records, Pickerill befriended four girls aged 13 and one girl aged 15, establishing relationships that quickly turned abusive. It was revealed that he employed emotional blackmail tactics, threatening to take his own life if the girls attempted to end their associations with him. One of the victims, a 13-year-old girl with whom Pickerill had sexual relations, was left feeling worthless and has since been undergoing counselling to cope with the trauma.

Another 13-year-old girl, also a victim of Pickerill’s grooming, was reported to have sneaked out of her home through a window at night to meet him. Prosecutors highlighted that Pickerill would manipulate her by telling her he was suicidal and making her promise never to leave him, further entrenching her emotional dependency.

At the age of 18, Pickerill engaged in sexual activity with yet another young girl. The court was told that shortly after this incident, the girl felt used and described Pickerill as becoming hostile, indicating a shift in his behavior and revealing the manipulative nature of his actions.

The fourth girl, also aged 13, was targeted after a period of grooming, during which approximately 800 messages were exchanged over six days. Many of these messages contained sexually suggestive content, illustrating the extent of Pickerill’s predatory behavior.

Police launched an investigation into these incidents, leading to Pickerill’s arrest and subsequent interviews. While on bail, he continued his predatory conduct by arranging to meet a fifth victim, a vulnerable 15-year-old girl with learning difficulties, whom he had contacted via an internet chat room. Court documents detailed that Pickerill exposed himself and performed a sex act on a webcam during a planned meeting at Newcastle College, with the intention of engaging in sexual activity with her.

Pickerill, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of sexual activity with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, and arranging to meet a child following sexual grooming. His actions have been described as deeply troubling and indicative of a pattern of exploitation.

During the sentencing hearing, defense lawyer Richard Davenport expressed remorse on behalf of Pickerill, stating that his client was sorry and wished to apologise to his victims. Davenport also emphasized that Pickerill was not a sexual predator but a young man struggling with personality issues.

However, Judge Paul Glenn was unequivocal in his condemnation, sentencing Pickerill to three years and three months in a young offenders’ institution. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order for the same duration. The judge condemned Pickerill’s actions, stating, “You targeted young girls for your own sexual gratification. You later boasted about the number of girls you were having sex with and bragged about taking the virginity of one of the girls. You groomed your victims, played on the fact you were older, and told some you would marry or have a baby with them. You exploited young, vulnerable girls, and courts have a duty to protect them.”