A 37-year-old man from Bedford has been jailed for more than six years after grooming a teenage girl with drugs and offering her money in exchange for sexual activity.
Robert Brookes, of Castle Road, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday) after being found guilty of a string of offences, including child sexual abuse and drug supply.
He regularly gave the girl cocaine and cannabis before offering her cash if she engaged in sexual activity with him. He also attempted to groom a second girl, a friend of the victim, after contacting her on social media.
The offences came to light when a family member of the victim discovered messages Brookes had sent.
Bedfordshire Police launched an investigation, which led to Brookes being found guilty of two counts of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, two counts of supplying a Class A drug, and two counts of offering to supply cocaine.
He was sentenced to six years and three months in prison.
Detective Constable David Widdicombe, from Bedfordshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People team, said: “Brookes is a vile individual who took advantage of a young girl in the worst possible way, so I am pleased he has received a custodial sentence.
“The victim was very brave telling us what happened, and I hope she is now able to move on from this chapter in her life.
“Combating violence against women and girls is a huge focus in policing. We are working tirelessly to put abusers behind bars, and this case should serve as a warning to other perpetrators that we will do whatever it takes to bring a case to court and get justice for victims.
Increase
He added, “Sadly, we are seeing an increase in reports of grooming. These predators build a relationship with the victim either in person or online to gain their trust before taking advantage of them.
“Grooming can happen both in person and online, often by a stranger, but it can also be someone your child knows. It can be difficult to tell if your child is being groomed – the signs aren’t always obvious and may be hidden.
“We encourage parents and carers to familiarise themselves with the signs to look out for, and to talk to their children about what to do if something doesn’t feel right.”
Bedfordshire Police continues to prioritise its work to tackle male violence against women and girls and is encouraging anyone with concerns about grooming to seek advice or report what they know.
More information and support can be found on the #EndGame campaign page. Support is also available through the force’s violence against women and girls initiative.
