A 27-year-old man who lied about his age online in order to groom a 15-year-old girl has been jailed.
Daniel Allcock (also known as Daniel Smith), from Crewe, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday, where he was sentenced to six years in prison, plus four years on extended licence.
He had pleaded guilty to numerous offences, including causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch a sexual act, and sexual activity with a child.
Allcock was initially arrested in April following allegations that he had posed as a 19-year-old man online in order to groom and meet a 15-year-old girl between December 2023 and April 2024.
The victim was just 14 when the pair began speaking on social media; she even confirmed her age to him, and he told her he was 19.
He arranged to meet her on multiple occasions, organising travel for her and telling her where to meet him. He then engaged in sexual activity with her repeatedly.
When concerns were raised by the victim’s school and social services, Cheshire Police was informed.
Checks quickly revealed that Allcock was known to Cheshire Police for previous sexual offences and was far older than he was purporting to be.
He was swiftly arrested, charged, and remanded, and subsequently pleaded guilty.
On top of his custodial sentence, he will remain on the sex offender’s register for life and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order. A restraining order has also been imposed.
Callous
DC Kieran Marsh said: “Firstly, I would like to praise the bravery of the victim in speaking to the police about her ordeal, and while she will never be able to forget what has happened to her, I hope this sentence will allow her to move forward with her life knowing justice has been served.
“This young girl’s world was turned upside down by a calculated and callous offender, driven purely by his own sexual desires, with no regard for the severe and lasting effects his actions would have on his victim.
“I would also like to acknowledge that this investigation has been a team effort by Crewe PVP investigations, and it is thanks to the damning forensic, witness-generated, and digital evidence that Allcock had no choice but to plead guilty.
“I hope this will also reassure anyone who wants to report a sexual offence that they will be supported, and we will take every report seriously and treat it with sensitivity.”
You can report sexual offences to police by calling 101.
