Vile paedophile groomed girl, convinced her she was in love with him then attacked her
13.03.2022 - 12:01
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A sex offender branded "a danger" to the public has been jailed.
Michael Smith groomed a vulnerable teenager for months before driving her to his flat in Hyde, and sexually assaulting her.
Smith was convicted of causing and inciting a teenage girl to engage in sexual activity following a five day trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
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The 49-year-old, of Cheetham Fold Road, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after a judge described him as a ‘danger’ to the public.
Cheshire Constabulary said that during the hearing, the court heard how Smith had groomed the teenager over a number of months before arranging to collect her from an address on February 2, 2021.
He then drove the girl back to his flat in Hyde where he sexually assaulted her. The victim was located at around 5.30am the following day after she contacted police.
Following the sentencing Detective Constable Stephen Martin, who led the investigation, said: “Smith knew the victim was underage and he knew that she was vulnerable.
“In spite of this, he purposefully chose to take advantage of her, grooming the girl over a number of months and convincing her that she was in love with him. After gaining her trust, he then collected her from her home and took her to his flat where he sexually assaulted her.
“Thankfully, as a result of the evidence provided by the victim and the evidence gathered during our investigation, Smith is now facing a significant prison sentence and is no longer a danger to the general public.
On top of his custodial sentence, Smith was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, or know of someone who