Ray Trewern

A 35-year-old man from Birmingham has been imprisoned for grooming and sexually assaulting a young girl, in a case that highlights the dangers of online interactions for children.

Ray Trewern, of Park Corner, Birmingham, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on 16 May 2024 to two years and three months' custody. He had previously pleaded guilty to several serious charges, including sexual communications with a child, meeting a female child under the age of 16 following sexual grooming, sexual assault of a female child under 13, and possession of indecent photographs of a child. In addition to his prison term, Trewern received a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an indefinite restraining order to protect potential future victims.

The offences occurred between October and December 2021. Trewern first contacted the 12-year-old victim on social media, where he began a process of grooming her. Within a short period, he arranged to meet her in person, buying her gifts and taking her shopping to build trust and manipulate her. During one of these meetings, he committed a sexual assault by kissing her. The grooming was so effective that the victim initially believed Trewern had her best interests at heart, though his actions were driven by his own perverse intentions.

West Mercia Police investigated the case on an evidence-led basis due to concerns for Trewern's behaviour, proceeding without requiring a formal complaint from the victim to ensure her safety. Detective Constable Tarryn Schimmel, who led the investigation, commented: 'Trewern’s grooming was such that his victim genuinely believed that he had her best intentions at heart when in fact his deception was for his own perverse gain.' The police force emphasised the importance of vigilance regarding child safety online, with the case underscoring the rapid escalation possible in such predatory interactions.

This sentencing brings some measure of justice following a prolonged wait for the victim and her family, as noted by DC Schimmel: 'The victim and her family have had to wait a long time to see justice being done and I commend them for their patience and dignity in waiting for this matter to finally be resolved.' The case was reported by West Mercia Police on 17 May 2024.