Christian Graham Ross

A 31-year-old man from Milton Keynes has been jailed for over eight years following his guilty pleas and conviction for multiple child sex offences. Christian Graham Ross, of Netherfield, targeted vulnerable teenage girls online, grooming them into exploitative relationships.

The case began when a concerned individual informed a teacher at one girl's school about the inappropriate relationship, prompting immediate action by Northamptonshire Police. Officers from the RISE team (Reducing Incidents of Sexual Exploitation) launched an investigation, leading to Ross's arrest. It emerged that Ross had contacted the first teenage girl via social media, falsely presenting himself as younger to build trust. He groomed her into believing they were in a legitimate relationship, meeting her multiple times at his then home in Northampton. During these encounters, he supplied her with alcohol and drugs before engaging in sexual exploitation.

• Ross was charged with three counts of penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15.
• He faced one count of meeting a girl under 16 following grooming.
• Additionally, a mobile phone seized during the Thames Valley Police investigation revealed three offences of making indecent images of children, for which he was found guilty by a jury after denying the charges.

Investigations revealed a second victim from the Thames Valley area, whom Ross similarly groomed online before meeting and engaging in sexual activity. Ross pleaded guilty to the four main offences at hearings in May and June 2023. The indecent images trial lasted three days at Amersham Crown Court.

On 19 April 2024, at Amersham Crown Court, Ross was sentenced to a total of eight years and six months' imprisonment, with an additional four years on extended licence. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life. The sentencing followed joint investigations by Northamptonshire Police and Thames Valley Police.

Lead Investigator Detective Constable Raj Singh of Northamptonshire Police’s RISE team stated: “This investigation was a very challenging case as we first needed to explain to the first victim that the relationship she was in was not a legitimate one and that Ross had instead used their significant age difference to groom and manipulate her. With the support of her family and our team, she went on to provide crucial evidence which secured the charges and the subsequent guilty pleas. She should be exceptionally proud of herself for the courage she’s shown and the fact that because of her, Ross is now behind bars.”

Detective Inspector Andy Blaize added: “Christian Ross is a highly dangerous sexual predator who demonstrated a clear pattern of inappropriate behaviour - grooming, manipulating and sexually assaulting these young girls over a period of time. The survivors of his abuse have suffered with the memories of what happened to them but because of their bravery, justice has been done and Ross will now spend a significant period in prison. Northamptonshire Police takes cases like these extremely seriously – we will believe you and we will do everything we can to bring your abuser to justice.”

This case, reported by Greatest Hits Radio Northamptonshire on 24 April 2024, underscores the dangers of online grooming and the commitment of police forces to protect children from sexual exploitation.