June 2014
Man jailed for having sex with under-age girls in Plymouth
A MAN has been jailed for having sex with two underage girls within days of one another.
Craig Knight, aged 21, “ruined the life” of one of the teenagers he abused, Plymouth Crown Court heard.
He took advantage of the schoolgirl after he was entrusted to look after her when her mother went to hospital, the court was told.
Jailing him for two years and eight months, judge Paul Darlow told him: “You were well aware of the age of these two girls.”
Knight, of Larch View, Looe, admitted having sex with the girls in the city when they were under 16 in August 2012 –when he had just turned 20.
Lee Brembridge, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Knight was at the first girl’s home when her mother was taken to Derriford Hospital.
He added that the mother thought Knight was a “nice guy” and asked him to look after her daughter until his return.
But Mr Brembridge said Knight persuaded her to perform a sex act on him.
He added Knight abused a second girl at her home a few days later following a family party.
The court heard she performed the same act as the other teenager.
The first victim told the court through a statement that Knight had “ruined her life”.
She added: “I have had difficulty sleeping and have been lying in bed crying. I have had nightmares.”
Mr Brembridge said she had spoken to “numerous” counsellors and therapists.
The second victim said her relationships with family and friends had suffered, together with her school work.
Deni Matthews, for Knight, said the offences were “out of character” and showed his lack of maturity.
He added that Knight realised the impact of what he had done and the chance of re-offending was assessed as low.
Det Con Darren White, of Devon and Cornwall Police’s Child Exploitation Unit, led the investigation in to Knight.
He said after the case: “The law clearly states the age of consent for sexual activity is 16 years. The law is there to protect young people, especially those who are vulnerable to exploitation.
“Craig Knight befriended these girls, manipulated them and then exploited them.
“Devon and Cornwall Police are committed to the investigation of child exploitation offences. Both the girls involved have been left suffering mental and emotional scars, as have their parents.
“We would encourage anyone who fears they may be victim of this kind of exploitation to come forward and they will be supported by police.”
