SAMUEL PICKERING FROM DEREHAM SENTENCED AFTER REPEATED SEX OFFENCES AND BREACHES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Dereham, Samuel Pickering, a 28-year-old man, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term following a series of serious sexual offences. The sequence of events highlights a troubling pattern of behavior that persisted even after he was initially spared immediate imprisonment.

Pickering’s criminal activities came to light after he was convicted of multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. In January of this year, he appeared before Norwich Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault involving a teenage boy. The court was informed that between May and September 2014, Pickering had befriended the victim, offering him cash and an iPad as a means of gaining his trust. Once trust was established, he proceeded to carry out the assaults, which included inappropriate touching.

Additionally, Pickering sent indecent messages and images to the victim, some of which were witnessed by a friend, leading to a police investigation. During the subsequent search of his residence, authorities seized various electronic devices, including his laptop and mobile phone. Although the messages to other young males found on his devices were not of a sexual nature, they raised further concerns about his conduct.

Despite the gravity of his actions, Pickering was initially sentenced to a two-year suspended prison term. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and issued a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order. The court’s decision to suspend his sentence was met with criticism, given the nature of his offences and the potential risk to the community.

However, the story did not end there. Just weeks after his sentencing, Pickering’s behavior took a darker turn. Between January 12 and March 8, he committed an additional 11 offences, including attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, making an indecent image of a child, and breaching a court order. These offences demonstrated a blatant disregard for the court’s restrictions and the safety of minors.

Pickering’s arrest on March 7 was prompted by police discovering he had downloaded messaging applications onto his phone, in breach of his court order. Further investigation revealed that he was in possession of indecent images, compounding the severity of his violations. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Pickering pleaded guilty to all 11 charges prior to his sentencing in July.

As a result, Norwich Crown Court handed down an extended sentence of 13 years, comprising five years of actual imprisonment followed by eight years on license. This substantial sentence reflects the seriousness of his repeated offences and the potential danger he poses to the community. The case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and the challenges faced in managing sex offenders, especially those who reoffend after initial leniency.