SAMUEL BRADLEY SHOCKS DINNINGTON AND ROTHERHAM WITH CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In August 2013, a disturbing case emerged involving Samuel Bradley, a 23-year-old teaching assistant from Marbeck Close, Dinnington, who was convicted of heinous child sex offences. The case was brought before Sheffield Crown Court, where Bradley received a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including sexual grooming of minors, engaging in sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust, and possession of indecent images of children.

Bradley's criminal conduct was particularly egregious given his role within a school that was renowned for fostering close relationships between staff and pupils. The school, located in South Yorkshire, was celebrated for its high standards, with Ofsted praising the strong bonds between teachers and students as a key factor behind impressive GCSE results. However, beneath this veneer of community and academic excellence, Bradley exploited the relaxed and trusting environment to prey on vulnerable girls.

He targeted three girls from the same school, with the youngest being only 14 years old. Bradley used social media platforms, especially Facebook, to groom his victims. He initially made contact with Rebecca, who was just 14 at the time, and Gemma, who was 15. Both girls appeared visibly distressed as they recounted their experiences, revealing that Bradley employed similar manipulative tactics with each of them.

Rebecca, now 16, described how Bradley first reached out to her on Facebook in February of the previous year. Their interaction began with a simple 'poke'—a Facebook feature used to initiate contact—during a school trip to Belgium, where Bradley had been joking around with her. Over the following weeks, he persistently messaged her, gradually building a rapport. He complimented her appearance, claiming she was the most attractive girl in her year, and expressed concern about losing his job if he continued communicating with her. Despite her initial hesitation, Rebecca eventually exchanged phone numbers with him.

Once they started texting, Bradley's messages became more intimate. He sent her photographs of himself in an aroused state and encouraged her to send explicit images of herself. Rebecca, naive and emotionally vulnerable, admitted to feeling a strong attachment, even telling Bradley she loved him. He dismissed her feelings, claiming she was too young to understand love, but their ongoing communication made her feel special, especially since many of her peers also admired Bradley.

Meanwhile, Gemma, who was 15 when Bradley first contacted her, also fell victim to his grooming. She recounted how he initially reached out via Facebook, using the same 'poking' method, and later provided her with his phone number as a birthday gift. Gemma was invited to a party at Bradley’s house, where she was served alcohol and subsequently passed out. She awoke to find Bradley lying beside her in boxer shorts, and he continued to make advances, touching her inappropriately. Despite feeling uncomfortable, Gemma hoped to see him again, unaware that her mother’s phone call would soon expose the truth.

Gemma’s mother, suspicious of her daughter’s behavior, managed to get her to confess. This led to a police investigation, which uncovered Bradley’s disturbing online activity and his sexual relationship with a 16-year-old former pupil, Sarah. Sarah, now 18, chose not to meet with the younger victims but later spoke out about her own experiences. She revealed that Bradley had initially contacted her after she left school in September 2011, and their relationship involved frequent meetings and sexual encounters. She described him as obsessed with sex, with a list of sexual pursuits he wanted to accomplish before he died, including a threesome, which she refused.

Sarah expressed her disgust at discovering Bradley’s manipulation and exploitation, especially after witnessing him out with other women. She eventually ended their relationship but remained disturbed by his actions. Her account highlighted the extent of Bradley’s predatory behavior and obsession with sexual gratification.

At Sheffield Crown Court, Bradley admitted to eight separate offences, including sexual activity with a minor, making indecent images, and abusing his position of trust to facilitate his crimes. His actions have profoundly impacted his victims and their families. Rebecca’s mother, who works three jobs to support her family, expressed deep regret for not monitoring her daughter’s online activity more closely. She acknowledged that Bradley’s actions had irreparably altered her daughter’s innocence and maturity, leaving lasting emotional scars.

As Bradley’s sentencing was handed down, the community in Dinnington and Rotherham was left to grapple with the reality of a trusted adult’s betrayal. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking behind seemingly benign relationships and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.