SCOTT FORD FROM REDRUTH SENTENCED FOR ONLINE SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRL

Scott Ford, a 22-year-old man residing on Green Lane in Redruth, has been handed a significant prison sentence after being found guilty of engaging in disturbing online sexual activities with a girl he believed to be only 12 years old. The case was heard at Truro Crown Court, where Ford admitted to two serious charges: attempting to communicate sexually with a minor and attempting to incite a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual acts.

According to court records, the conversations took place in February of this year through the social media platform Snapchat. During these exchanges, Ford repeatedly pressed the girl for explicit photographs, referring to her as 'all mine' and encouraging her to penetrate herself. The messages also included explicit requests for nude images and questions about her virginity, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

Despite being aware of her age, Ford continued to engage in these conversations, believing he was speaking to a girl named Hannah. In reality, the individual he was communicating with was an undercover police officer posing as a minor. Following his arrest at his residence in Redruth, Ford was taken into custody and subsequently gave a no comment interview during police questioning.

During the court proceedings, Ford's legal representative argued that a custodial sentence might be avoided, citing his good character, educational background, and employment status. However, the judge, His Honour Judge Simon Carr, determined that a prison sentence was necessary given the gravity of the offenses.

Judge Carr sentenced Ford to three years in prison, with the offender expected to serve half of that term before being eligible for release. Additionally, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was imposed to restrict Ford's future conduct. The judge emphasized that Ford was fully aware of the girl’s age from the outset and that his actions were motivated by his own sexual interests, making the case a clear example of predatory behavior that warranted strict legal consequences.