SHANE BLACKMORE FROM SUNDERLAND AND LAMPETER JAILED FOR GROOMING AND SEX WITH 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a disturbing case that has shocked both Sunderland and Lampeter communities, Shane Blackmore, a 22-year-old man, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of grooming and engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl. The offences took place during September 2014, when Blackmore was residing in a bedsit at the Cloisters in Sunderland, but he has since moved to Lampeter, Ceredigion.

According to court proceedings, Blackmore, then aged 20, initiated contact with the young girl through Facebook, where he engaged in a series of explicit messages. The communication quickly escalated, with Blackmore persuading the girl to meet him in person. He invited her to his shared flat, where the girl was led into a room while his friends were sleeping nearby. Despite her initial reluctance, Blackmore's persistent pressure and anger when she refused to engage in sexual acts ultimately led to her compliance.

The Newcastle Crown Court heard that the girl, who had told her mother she was staying over at a friend's house, was hesitant and uncomfortable during the encounter. Prosecutor Julian Smith described how Blackmore was asking her to have sex with him, attempting to manipulate her by suggesting she was responsible for his arousal and should help him relieve it. The court was told that Blackmore had also pressured her to send indecent pictures of herself and had previously sent her images of his private parts before the night at his Sunderland bedsit.

During the trial, it was revealed that the girl confided in a friend, expressing her feelings of self-hatred for what she had agreed to that night. She has been profoundly affected by the traumatic experience, and her family has also suffered greatly as a result.

Judge Deborah Sherwin emphasized the seriousness of the case, ordering Blackmore to comply with a lifelong sexual offences prevention order and to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. In her remarks, the judge acknowledged the victim's intelligence and maturity, noting that her emotional scars and the impact on her family were significant. The court's decision reflects the gravity of Blackmore's actions and the need for ongoing monitoring to protect the community from further harm.