July 2014
Sealand man had sex with girl, 14
A MAN who had sex with a 14-year-old girl was told by a judge he was a high risk to young girls.
Adam Challinor, 23, who has mental health problems and a personality disorder, also indecently assaulted a teenage boy and exposed himself to him while out fishing.
His case was described by a judge at Mold Crown Court as “worrying”.
“It is worrying because you clearly know no boundaries as far as appropriate sexual behaviour is concerned,” Judge Niclas Parry told him.
In particular, he was said to be a high risk to young girls.
The judge said the most serious offences occurred when he was 19 or 20 and involved with a vulnerable girl aged 13.
He had unprotected sex with her when she was 14 and the girl had said that at times she felt pressured to say yes.
It was an aggravating feature that there was a significant age difference physically and he knew what he was doing was wrong.
The young victim had agreed to everything, but one of the reasons the law existed was to protect young females from themselves.
Then in August last year he bullied a 13-year-old boy, exposed himself and touched his bottom five times.
But Challinor, who had pleaded guilty, had his own vulnerabilities. He had learning difficulties and had a mental age of somewhere between nine and 12, which meant the disparity in age feature was less aggravating.
“You have very little understanding of the gravity of what you have done,” Mr Parry told him.
“Unless that changes, the public will remain at risk.
“That risk can only be reduced if you are made subject to intensive intervention.”
He had already spent some time in custody and a prison sentence at this stage would mean that he would be released back into the community without any treatment.
Challinor, of Sealand Court, Sealand, received a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He was placed on supervision for two years under which he will receive mental health treatment in the community. He was placed on the sex register for 10 years and a 10 year SOPO – sexual offences prevention order – was also made.
Challinor admitted four charges of sexual activity with the girl, sexual assault on the boy, and indecent exposure.
Sion ap Mihangel, prosecuting, said Challinor accepted having sex with the girl and told police it was “up to her really”.
John Hedgecoe, defending, said reports on his client showed he had a very young mental age and would benefit from the help of the community mental health team.
“What he needs, as soon as possible, is further assessment from the mental health team. It is hoped he can be assisted,” he said.
