ROMSEY MAN STEPHEN GRANT BRANDED A RISK TO YOUNG GIRLS AFTER ONLINE GROOMING IN HAMPSHIRE AND BEYOND

A man from Romsey, Hampshire, Stephen Grant, has been identified as a significant threat to young girls after engaging in disturbing online grooming activities across multiple countries. The case was detailed at Southampton Crown Court, revealing how Grant exploited popular messaging platforms to prey on underage girls both within the UK and internationally.

According to court proceedings, Grant, aged 44, used the messaging app Kik to initiate and maintain sexual conversations with young girls. His grooming tactics involved creating a group chat that contained strict rules for the girls to follow, with the threat of sexual punishments if they disobeyed. Once trust was established, Grant would transition these conversations into private chats, often using different messaging services to continue his illicit communications.

It was also disclosed that Grant’s criminal history includes an 18-year-old conviction for detaining a child without lawful authority and possessing indecent images. At that time, he was 26 years old and involved with a 15-year-old girl with whom he was sleeping in his vehicle. This previous conviction underscores a pattern of concerning behavior.

During the recent investigation, the court heard that Grant’s online interactions extended beyond the UK. For instance, he engaged with a 15-year-old girl from the Isle of Wight, calling her “princess” and “baby,” and repeatedly requesting her to send sexual images. He even asked her to travel to the mainland to meet him. The girl explained to police that her involvement was driven by low self-esteem, and Grant’s compliments and encouragement made her feel valued, which led her to send explicit images. He also expressed love for her and became angry if she communicated with other men.

Another victim, from Australia, was treated similarly by Grant, who asked her to send photos and engaged in lengthy conversations. During one exchange, she revealed she was in a mental health facility, prompting Grant to try convincing her to tell her doctors she would be better off at home, demonstrating his manipulative tactics.

Grant’s arrest followed a police referral concerning the distribution of indecent images of children on Kik. Authorities executed a search warrant at his residence on Mercer Way, Romsey, where they seized multiple electronic devices. Analysis of these devices uncovered numerous indecent images, some of which had been deleted, but others still stored on the devices.

Following his arrest, Grant pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, six counts of making indecent images of children, and two counts of sexual communication with a child. Prosecutor Keely Harvey highlighted that police had uncovered hundreds of indecent images and had to sift through approximately 7,000 pages of messages between Grant and one of his victims. It was also revealed that even after being bailed, Grant continued to communicate with one of the girls, indicating ongoing offending behavior during the investigation period.

The offences took place during 2018 and 2019, reflecting a sustained pattern of predatory conduct. In mitigation, defense lawyer Emily Lanham argued that Grant’s actions were driven by a desire for validation, as he felt attractive only through these interactions, and emphasized that he had been out of trouble for over four years, suggesting he had reflected on his behavior and was unlikely to reoffend.

However, Judge Nicholas Rowland emphasized the ongoing risk Grant posed to young girls. As a result, he was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison, with an extended license period of four years. Additionally, Grant was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order lasting 15 years, and a deprivation order was issued for the electronic devices seized during the investigation, aiming to prevent further offending.