SIMON PRICE FROM TAVERHAM SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST 13-YEAR-OLD IN NORWICH

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Simon Price, a 40-year-old man from Taverham, was convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving a 13-year-old girl. The case came to light after a series of alarming events that revealed the extent of Price's misconduct and the danger he posed to young victims.

According to court proceedings, the troubling sequence began in November 2019 when Price first engaged in online conversations with the young girl on a gaming platform. During these initial exchanges, Price falsely claimed to be 26 years old, while the girl, who was actually only 13, believed she was speaking to someone older. Over time, their interactions transitioned from casual gaming chats to more personal and intimate discussions, facilitated through social media platforms such as Instagram.

The court heard that their conversations became increasingly flirtatious, with Price revealing details about his medical illnesses and the girl sharing her own difficulties. Prosecutor Benedict Peers described the interactions as becoming more sexualized, with the pair exchanging explicit images and videos, and even live streaming each other. At one point, the girl blocked Price on Instagram, but he persisted in contacting her through other social media channels, demonstrating a clear pattern of grooming and manipulation.

During the court hearing, it was revealed that the girl felt a sense of guilt related to Price’s medical history, which she confided to police. The situation escalated in March of the following year when Price drove from Taverham to the south coast, where he picked up the girl and sexually assaulted her in the back of his car near the seaside. The victim described feeling paralyzed and “freezing” during the assaults, which left her deeply traumatized.

Further disturbing details emerged when the court was told that Price encouraged the girl to self-harm, expressing a desire to help her do so. These revelations underscored the manipulative and harmful nature of his actions.

The offences only came to light in May last year when the victim’s mother entered her bedroom and found her asleep. What she saw on the phone shocked her—she observed a live stream video in which a man, later identified as Price, was watching her daughter sleep. This discovery prompted immediate police intervention, leading to Price’s identification and arrest.

The impact on the young girl was profound. In her victim statement, she described an increase in self-harming behaviors and a loss of trust in others, feeling unsafe when alone. Her mother also expressed her horror and distress, recounting the emotional toll the events had taken on their family. She admitted that the image of her daughter asleep next to her phone, with Price watching, haunted her.

Price appeared in Norwich Crown Court on Monday, February 1, to face sentencing after previously admitting to multiple charges. These included meeting a girl under 16 following grooming, engaging in sexual activity with a minor, communicating sexually with a child, and making an indecent image of a child. The court heard that Price had lied about his age and groomed the victim before assaulting her.

Judge Andrew Shaw sentenced Price to an extended term of 10 years and four months. This sentence comprised five and a half years in custody, with an additional five years on license. The judge emphasized the significant risk Price posed to the public, highlighting his manipulative behavior and grooming tactics. Furthermore, Price was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect potential future victims.