SHANE OAKDEN LINCOLN NINJA WARRIOR SEX PREDATOR JAILED FOR GROOMING 13-YEAR-OLD IN LINCOLN
In April 2017, Shane Oakden, a 45-year-old bodybuilder and former contestant on the popular ITV show Ninja Warrior UK, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of grooming a 13-year-old girl from Lincoln.The incident came to light after concerns were raised by the girl’s mother, who is a familiar face on television screens, having been a TV personality for nearly a decade.
Oakden, who resides on Wentworth Way in Lincoln and works as a college lecturer, was aware of the girl’s age but made inappropriate comments, telling her that "age doesn’t matter when you’re having fun." His actions were uncovered after the girl’s mother grew suspicious of her daughter’s changing behaviour and decided to examine her phone.
What she discovered led to a police investigation that quickly escalated into a search for the missing teenager.
According to Victoria Rose, the prosecutor at Lincoln Crown Court, the police recovered messages from the girl’s phone that revealed Oakden’s disturbing intentions.
The messages included requests for the girl to send him nude photographs, with one image showing her in her underwear and another of her completely naked, which had been sent directly to Oakden.
The messages also contained explicit discussions about sexual activities, with Oakden encouraging her to meet him and stay overnight at a hotel.
Further evidence showed that Oakden had sent the girl explicit photographs of himself, along with videos of himself masturbating.
The prosecutor highlighted the profound impact these revelations had on the young girl, who was so distressed that she ran away from home when the abuse was uncovered.
She has since undergone counselling, and her mother explained that her daughter ran away because she could no longer bear to see the disappointment and anger on her parents’ faces.
The girl has also expressed that she has lost trust in adults due to the trauma she experienced.
Oakden, who previously served as an RAF engineer, admitted to two charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one charge of inciting child exploitation.
During the sentencing hearing, he was visibly emotional, weeping in the dock as Judge Michael Heath handed down the three-year custodial sentence.
The judge emphasized the severity of Oakden’s actions, stating, "You knew her age.
You told her that age doesn’t matter when you’re having fun.
You sent her explicit photographs of yourself.
You told her what you wanted to do to her sexually.
You encouraged her to meet you and stay overnight in a hotel.
You knew what you were doing was quite wrong and you went on to do it.
It has plainly had a marked effect on her." Judge Heath concluded that only a custodial sentence was appropriate for such offences.
Oakden, a father of one, also claimed that he was told he was too large to participate in the 1990s television show Gladiators, which he referenced in his defence.
The case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance by parents and authorities to protect vulnerable young people from exploitation.
