THOMAS DAWSON PONTEFRACT SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT IN WAKEFIELD

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Pontefract and Wakefield, Thomas Dawson, aged 26, has been sentenced to four years in prison after engaging in a series of sexual offenses involving a 14-year-old schoolgirl. The case was heard at Leeds Crown Court, where details emerged about Dawson’s predatory behavior and the manipulative tactics he employed to exploit a vulnerable teenager.

According to court records, Dawson initiated contact with the young girl via Facebook in September 2016. Initially, he falsely claimed to be 16 years old, creating a false sense of familiarity and trust. Over time, he groomed her through continued messaging, gradually revealing his true age and intentions. The grooming process culminated in Dawson arranging to meet the girl in person, which he did for the first time on January 3 of the following year.

On multiple occasions, Dawson picked up the girl from her home at the end of her street in Wakefield, often while she was dressed in her school uniform. He would then take her to his residence in Pontefract, where he engaged in sexual activity with her while his partner was at work. The court heard that Dawson had sex with the girl on four separate occasions, exploiting her trust and vulnerability during these encounters.

The criminal activities came to light when the girl’s father noticed her absence from school. He checked the school’s website and discovered she was listed as absent. Concerned, he contacted the police, and the authorities were alerted on January 11. The girl was reported missing, prompting a police investigation. Later that day, Dawson was arrested at approximately 3 pm. During police interviews, he admitted to contacting the girl’s school to report her absence but denied having any sexual contact with her. However, evidence and the girl’s victim statement confirmed the sexual encounters and grooming behavior.

In her statement, the young girl expressed her feelings of betrayal and confusion. She revealed that she initially believed she was in love with Dawson but now recognizes that she was manipulated and taken advantage of. Her trust in others has been severely damaged, and she finds it difficult to believe in the sincerity of others’ intentions.

Judge Geoffrey Marson, QC, presided over the case and sentenced Dawson to four years in prison. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the gravity of Dawson’s actions, stating, “You knew she was 14 and you knew she was vulnerable and you purported to be a teenage boy in order to begin that exchange between you. There was an element of grooming in your behaviour. You made her feel special at a time when she was vulnerable.” The court’s decision reflects the seriousness with which such offenses are regarded, especially when they involve exploiting minors in the Pontefract and Wakefield areas.