Dudley man, 55, jailed for grooming girl, 13, via fake internet profile
A man who groomed a schoolgirl online by pretending to be a 15-year-old boy has been jailed for more than three years.
Paul Hawker encouraged the 13-year-old to set up a secret online file where they could share messages and photos, a court heard.
The 55-year-old from Dudley also created a second fake identity, pretending to be the boy's 17-year-old sister 'to keep the fantasy going' after she 'went quiet on him', said Ms Sati Ruck, prosecuting.
He was found out after the victim’s parents took her iPad as a joke and were suspicious about what they felt was an over-reaction by her.
Hawker told the girl how to download Kik, an instant messaging app, so that they could chat exclusively, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
He then engaged her in general chat for a couple of days before asking her for photos of herself and, at bedtimes, talking about 'kissing and cuddling'.
He also created a fake 17-year-old sister, Tina, calculating the victim would trust someone older, and encouraged her to discuss sexual matters.
‘Tina’ told the girl her brother was in hospital and suggested she send some ‘nice’ photos of herself, ‘such as of her boobs to make him feel better,’ said Ms Ruck.
Hawker also enticed her to perform a sex act, explaining step by step through internet messages what she should do, telling her not to be shy and to send naked photos, although this did not happen.
Hawker had previously disclosed to a neighbour that he had pretended to be a 14-year-old girl on social media, the court heard.
Hawker had created a fan group for Fifth Harmony, an American girl band, which led to contact with hundreds of teenagers across the globe, said Ms Ruck. He claimed he had set up the false online identities 'as an escape'.
Defending him, Mr Stephen Hamblett said Hawker had no intention of meeting the girl and he had mental health issues.
Hawker, of Parkes Hall Road, Woodsetton, pleaded guilty to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
He was jailed for three years and four months and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.
Recorder Nicholas Syfret, QC, said young people who went on the internet to establish social relationships were at risk of exploitation by sexual predators, which could cause them serious psychological harm, or worse, should actual contact take place.
"In my mind only an immediate custodial sentence can be passed," he said.
