By Explicit picture of Grimsby man on 12-year-old’s iPad
A young child’s parents were horrified after discovering a half-naked photograph of a Grimsby man on their 12-year-old daughter’s iPad.
Lee Marvel, 26, had sent the image to the girl and had been exchanging messages with her.
Mr Marvel, of Rutland Street Grimsby, has been jailed after admitting to sending the indecent images of himself and messaging the girl 2019.
Prosecuting Richard Thompson said the girl’s parents became aware of the man after checking their daughter’s iPad.
When Marvel was interviewed, he claimed his account was hacked, later saying the girl had asked him for photograph.
The victim told police she had suffered stress and strained relationships with her family.
For the accused, Craig Lowe said his client had demonstrated that that he would not offend again, referencing his client being “kind, loving and caring”.
Marvel was sentenced to eight months in prison, Judge Michael Fanning said: “This is a serious offence, sending indecent image.
“It is often the case, the next stage is trying to meet someone being groomed for sex. The aim is to try to catch people taking preparatory steps before sexual contact.
“She was just 12 years old. You were 24. You should have known better. You tried to blame other people. You sent an image of your penis.
“What you were thinking is beyond any right-thinking individual. You have damaged her. You appear to have ruined a young life. It is a matter of luck it was discovered and this could have progressed to something more serious.”
The judge imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years, which would prohibit contact with girls and his internet searches must be transparent, for police or those support rehabilitation.
