Man Jailed for Sexual Abuse of Vulnerable Teenager
A 35 year old man has been jailed after he bound, gagged and sexually abused a teenager with learning difficulties.
Fifty Shades of Grey Influence
Bradford Crown Court heard that Joseph Maxwell Spencer took photos of the girl crying out in distress whilst wearing lingerie after he was inspired by the film Fifty Shades of Grey.
Spencer was sentenced to seven years in jail after a jury found him guilty of causing or inciting the teenager to engage in sexual activity and eight charges of making indecent photos of the girl. The 35 year old was cleared of a further three allegations of having sex with the teenager when she was 15.
Judge Peter Benson, sentencing, told the court that Spencer ‘ruthlessly exploited the girl to satisfy his own pleasures’. The judge went on to explain that the girls learning difficulties resulted in her to behave more like a child of seven or eight than a girl of fifteen or sixteen. He added that after watching Fifty Shades of Grey, Spencer ordered a bondage kit based on the film online.
The judge told Spencer:
‘You exploited her vulnerability in a ruthless way and acquired a bondage kit based on the film Fifty Shades of Grey, and she was forced to dress up in it.
‘It consisted of a gag, handcuffs, a red and black basque and a whip.’
Indecent Photographs
During Spencer’s trial, the court was shown photographs of the girl in indecent positions wearing the red and black basque that were taken by Spencer. The court was also shown two video clips, containing footage of Spencer having sex with the girl whilst she cried out in distress.
Judge Benson went on to say:
‘It was a most disgusting picture and you were acting with a degree of brutality which I am sure the jury found quite shocking.’
Spencer was arrested when a teacher of the schoolgirl saw the pair holding hands, after which police found the photos and videos of the girl on his computer.
Defending Spencer, Nicholas Barker told the court that he had suffered throughout his life, having previously fought as a child soldier in Liberia. He also added that the 35 year old was usually of good character and that the images of the girl dressed in bondage attire were all taken the day after her 16th birthday.
Sentencing
Along with his custodial sentence, Spencer was ordered to sign the sex offenders register and the judge made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order banning Spencer from having unsupervised contact with children and approaching or contacting the girl.
Following the trial, Detective Constable Donna Hector, of the Bradford District Safeguarding Unit, said:
‘Spencer befriended his victim and her family then took advantage of her vulnerabilities to sexually exploit and degrade her.
‘I hope the sentence he has received today will be of some comfort to her and help her to move forward with her life.
‘We would also like to thank our partners in education who first brought Spencer’s inappropriate behaviour to our attention.
‘Police in Bradford District are committed to protecting the vulnerable and would urge anyone with concerns about exploitation to report them to our specialist officers, who will investigate every report with the aim of bringing perpetrators to justice.’
Sexual Abuse – Expert Advice
Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. Our Abuse & Criminal Injuries Department is headed by Greg Neill – Greg is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL).
For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.
Source: Daily Mail
