Christopher Groom, a 26-year-old resident of Jewels Close in Burnham Norton, Norfolk, faced repeated delays in his sentencing for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed on him just a year prior. The SHPO, which was a ten-year restriction, stemmed from Groom's attempt to engage in sexual activity with a girl under the age of 13, an incident that led to his capture by a vigilante group. This prior conviction marked him as a registered sex offender, highlighting the severity of his actions against a child.
The breach occurred on 17 June 2024, when Groom was found accessing sexual images of women on computers at Lynn Library, an activity explicitly prohibited under his SHPO. Further investigation revealed that he had been using Facebook Messenger and possessed seven USB storage devices, both of which he was banned from doing without notifying the police. These violations demonstrated a blatant disregard for the protective measures designed to prevent further harm.
Groom pleaded guilty to the breach at Norwich Crown Court on 15 September 2024, with sentencing originally scheduled for that date. However, due to ongoing court backlogs attributed to a 'lack of court time', the proceedings have been postponed five times this year: first to 16 September, then to 11 October, 17 October, 17 November, and most recently to 20 December 2024. The latest delay was confirmed at King's Lynn Magistrates' Court, where ushers informed local media that the case was not listed. A spokesperson for Norwich Crown Court stated, 'I am afraid due to a lack of court time it was not listed today'.
Throughout this period, Groom has remained on unconditional bail, raising concerns about public safety and the efficiency of the judicial system. Reports from the Lynn News, published on 18 November 2024 by journalist Alice Hobbs, underscore the baffling nature of the delays, noting that all necessary preparations for sentencing were in place and similar cases had been concluded promptly in recent months. The article questions why Groom's case has proven so challenging, potentially allowing a convicted paedophile to remain unpunished for months.
The image accompanying the report, sourced from Silent Angels, depicts Groom in connection with his SHPO breach, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing risks posed by such offenders. As of the latest update, no sentence has been issued, leaving the community in Burnham Norton and surrounding areas awaiting resolution.