SIMON SHEPHERDSON FROM GOSPORT SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL
| Red Rose Database
Gosport Child Sexual Abuser
In June 2009, a disturbing case unfolded involving Simon Shepherdson, a 35-year-old man from Gosport, who was convicted of grooming and repeatedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. The sequence of events began when Shepherdson initiated contact with the young girl through online messaging on MSN Messenger, a popular communication platform at the time, and continued with persistent text messaging. Over a period of several weeks, Shepherdson engaged in a series of sexual assaults, totaling eight separate incidents.
According to court proceedings, the abuse started with Shepherdson kissing the girl on Christmas Eve, marking the beginning of a troubling relationship that persisted through December and into January. The young girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, eventually confided in her parents about the inappropriate conduct. The following day, her father reported the matter to the police, prompting an investigation into Shepherdson's actions.
At Portsmouth Crown Court, Shepherdson, a father of three residing on Magennis Close in Gosport, pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual activity with a child. Prosecutor Mike Spicer detailed the timeline and nature of the offenses, emphasizing the repeated nature of the abuse over several weeks. Shepherdson's solicitor, Stephen Smyth, acknowledged his client's remorse and explained that Shepherdson had been experiencing personal difficulties, notably his wife leaving him for another man. Smyth also admitted that Shepherdson had lost his moral compass, citing attraction to girls over 13 as a factor that led him astray. He stated, “Girls over 13 are attractive. He lost his moral compass and slowly it began. It’s entirely his fault, he doesn’t deny it but it wasn’t made difficult. He succumbed to the temptation. He won’t be the first and he won’t be the last.”
Despite having no prior criminal convictions, Shepherdson was described in court as remorseful and unhappy about his actions. His legal representative remarked that Shepherdson would face significant consequences, including the loss of his freedom and his ability to work with children in the future. The judge, Ian Pearson, sentenced Shepherdson to two years in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses. The judge stated, “These were sustained offences… you knew exactly how old the girl was. It is accepted that there was no force, no threats were made and in as far as the victim could consent, she did. These offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence may be justified for them.”
In addition to the prison sentence, Shepherdson was ordered to register as a sex offender for a minimum of ten years. He had already been in custody for 121 days since his arrest, and this period was deducted from his sentence. Furthermore, the court disqualified him from working with children indefinitely, aiming to prevent any future risk to minors. The case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation and abuse.
According to court proceedings, the abuse started with Shepherdson kissing the girl on Christmas Eve, marking the beginning of a troubling relationship that persisted through December and into January. The young girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, eventually confided in her parents about the inappropriate conduct. The following day, her father reported the matter to the police, prompting an investigation into Shepherdson's actions.
At Portsmouth Crown Court, Shepherdson, a father of three residing on Magennis Close in Gosport, pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual activity with a child. Prosecutor Mike Spicer detailed the timeline and nature of the offenses, emphasizing the repeated nature of the abuse over several weeks. Shepherdson's solicitor, Stephen Smyth, acknowledged his client's remorse and explained that Shepherdson had been experiencing personal difficulties, notably his wife leaving him for another man. Smyth also admitted that Shepherdson had lost his moral compass, citing attraction to girls over 13 as a factor that led him astray. He stated, “Girls over 13 are attractive. He lost his moral compass and slowly it began. It’s entirely his fault, he doesn’t deny it but it wasn’t made difficult. He succumbed to the temptation. He won’t be the first and he won’t be the last.”
Despite having no prior criminal convictions, Shepherdson was described in court as remorseful and unhappy about his actions. His legal representative remarked that Shepherdson would face significant consequences, including the loss of his freedom and his ability to work with children in the future. The judge, Ian Pearson, sentenced Shepherdson to two years in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses. The judge stated, “These were sustained offences… you knew exactly how old the girl was. It is accepted that there was no force, no threats were made and in as far as the victim could consent, she did. These offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence may be justified for them.”
In addition to the prison sentence, Shepherdson was ordered to register as a sex offender for a minimum of ten years. He had already been in custody for 121 days since his arrest, and this period was deducted from his sentence. Furthermore, the court disqualified him from working with children indefinitely, aiming to prevent any future risk to minors. The case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation and abuse.