A MAN from Wellesbourne has been jailed for sexually grooming a teenage girl.
Stephen Lidzy of Newbold Place, was jailed for nearly seven years after facing charges relating to the grooming of a 14-year-old and inciting her into sexual activity in 2018.
The 28-year-old was arrested after the victim told a relative what had happened to her.
After Lidzy met the girl they spent the several weeks chatting and texting.
When they again met up Lidzy gave the girl cocaine before later persuading her to engage in sexual activity.
Last week he was found guilty of supplying cocaine, two counts of sexual activity with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity. He was jailed for six years and eight months. He was ordered to sign the sex offender register for life.
Det Sgt Jen Baker said: “Despite knowing his victim was only 14, Lidzy pursued her for his own sexual gratification.
“Lidzy’s behaviour was characteristic of those who seek to exploit and abuse children. He attempted to make a child feel special by giving her alcohol and offering her drugs, yet all the time he was grooming her.
“Officers acted quickly to arrest Lidzy following the report to ensure the safeguarding of a child and to prevent Lidzy committing further offences against those most vulnerable in society.
“I would like to pay tribute to the victim who has shown immense bravery during this investigation and true courage in reporting her ordeal to police meaning this man is now in prison and unable to cause further harm.”
Grooming is when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with someone so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them.
Signs of child grooming may include secretiveness around online activity, having money or new possessions they could not normally afford, drinking or drug-taking and being upset or withdrawn.
Anyone with concerns around grooming can either call police on 101, child protection charity the NSPCC, their local authority’s social care team or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
