'High risk' offender jailed for child sex crimes

A man has been jailed for multiple sexual offences against three 15-year-old girls.

Luke Williamson, of Kempston, Bedford, admitted carrying out 20 sexual offences across East Yorkshire, West Midlands, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire.

The 34-year-old was given an extended sentence of 11 years, including eight years in custody and three years on licence.

During sentencing at Hull Crown Court on Friday, Judge Kate Rayfield said Williamson posed a "high risk of harm to teenage girls".

Williamson previously pleaded guilty to 12 counts of arranging or facilitating commission of a child sexual offence and three counts of sexual communications with a child.

He also admitted causing a child to watch a sexual act, taking indecent photographs of a child and three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

Rayfield said the "particularly vulnerable" nature of one of the victims was an aggravating feature.

Other aggravating features Rayfield listed were the number of victims, the persistence of messages, Williamson's willingness to travel to meet his victims and his previous convictions.

The court heard Williamson bought two of his victims alcohol and vapes, which Rayfield described as grooming.

The judge noted Williamson "suddenly lost interest" in one of the victims when she turned 16.

Rayfield reduced the defendant's sentence by one third on account of his early guilty pleas.

Det Insp Cat Slaughter, of Humberside Police, said: "Williamson is a very calculated and manipulative man who preyed on vulnerable girls and, in essence, groomed them with his methods being the same each time."

She added: "I hope the result at court today demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting offenders like Williamson and I hope it provides some reassurance to anyone who has been or is a victim of any type of sexual offence."

Williamson was told to notify as a sex offender for life and was given a life-long sexual harm prevention order.

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