July 2013
Teenager locked up after ‘grooming’ girls for sex
TEENAGER Ross Pickerill has been locked up for three years and three months after he targeted young girls for sex.
The 19-year-old was aged 17 and 18 when he befriended four 13-year-old girls and another aged 15.
“He emotionally blackmailed them by saying he would kill himself if they ended the relationship.”
The court heard one 13-year-old Pickerill had sex with has been left feeling worthless and is now having counselling.
Another victim, also aged 13, would sneak out of her window at night to meet Pickerill.
Ms Punia said: “The defendant would tell her he was going to kill himself and he made her promise never to leave him.”
Pickerill was aged 18 when he had sex with another of the girls.
“He became hostile about a week after the incident and she felt used for sex,” said Ms Punia.
The fourth victim was also aged 13 when Pickerill met up with her, following grooming. The court heard about 800 messages were sent between the two in six days, many being sexually implicit.
Police launched an investigation after those four incidents and Pickerill was arrested and interviewed.
While on bail, Pickerill arranged to meet up with his fifth victim, a vulnerable 15-year-old with learning difficulties, after meeting her on an internet chat room.
Ms Punia said: “He exposed himself and performed a sex act on a webcam and was going to meet her by Newcastle College. She knew the plan was that they would have sex.”
Pickerill, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to three charges of sexual activity with a child; meeting a child following sexual grooming and arranging to meet a child following sexual grooming.
Richard Davenport, mitigating, said Pickerill was deeply sorry and wants to apologise to his victims.
“He is not a sexual predator, he is a young man with personality problems,” added Mr Davenport.
Judge Paul Glenn sentenced Pickerill to three years and three months detention in a young offenders’ institution. He will also be on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and was made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order for the same period.
Judge Glenn said: “You targeted young girls for your own sexual gratification.
“You later boasted about the number of girls you were having sex with and bragged about taking the virginity of one of the girls.
“You groomed your victims, you played on the fact you were older.
“You told some you would marry or have a baby with them. You exploited young girls, vulnerable girls who courts have a duty to protect.”
