A Rotherham teenager told a 12-year-old he would “happily” book a hotel room for the night in a string of sickening messages.
Mitchell Bilson, 19, targeted the child and began to send her sick, sexualised chat and graphic images over TikTok and WhatsApp. Sheffield Crown Court heard on Monday his crimes finally came to light when the girl’s auntie became suspicious and looked at her phone before informing the police.
Prosecutor Kitty Colley told the court Bilson had pleaded guilty to inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child at the plea, trial and preparation hearing. She said: “It came to light because her [the girl’s] aunt was suspicious of her phone activity.
“On 22nd March [2024], due to these concerns she looked at the phone and came across a number of messages that caused her great concern. The contact name was given as ‘My King’ and she noted the contact had told the girl that he was 18-years-old. She also saw a number of messages of a sexual nature and graphic images…
“There are a number of messages on WhatsApp and it is clear that in relation to the talk build up that the defendant described her as ‘gorgeous’ and told her he loved her and she reciprocated this. It is clear she was emotionally open… She described her own life as ‘s***’ and he told her she looked nice and would always be there for her and he loved her and she said the same to him.”
Other messages were increasingly sexual, the court heard, including one where Bilson told the girl he would book a hotel room for them. He said: “I’d happily book a hotel for the night to see if you could last over three hours.”
In another message, he wrote: “Let me give you a kid.” He also sent indecent images to the girl. Bilson, of Restover Lodge, Lowton Way, was arrested and made no comment in interview.
Mitigating, Amy-Jo Cutts said a pre-sentence report and psychiatric report had been carried out. The court heard Bilson – who has ADHD, a language delay and a personality disorder – had spent time in foster homes since he was five-years-old.
Ms Cutts said: “Shortly before his arrest he had left his foster parents’ address and had been staying at different hotels and hostels… He has a lengthy history of self harm and a recent episode of it as he had been struggling with his remand into custody.”
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His Honour Judge Dixon jailed Bilson for three years. He said the girl would “not have fully understood what was going on.” He added: “I have seen the pre-sentence report about you, and the liaison and diversion report and the psychiatric report about you. While this was all taking place when you were 18 it is right to say you did not have the best start in life and have a set of issues too.
“In the pre-sentence report there is a suggestion that you are a dangerous offender. I agree but have no power to extend the sentence but if I did, I would have.”
The judge also made Bilson the subject of a restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.
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