North Shields paedophile jailed for sexually abusing 14-year-old girl

Lewis Bradley targeted the teenage girl via social media before inviting her to his home address in May 2023.

Bradley had told the victim-survivor he was 18-years-old when he was actually 28.

He then carried out sexual activity with her on multiple occasions over two days.

The victim’s mother alerted Northumbria Police and the Force’s Safeguarding department immediately launched a full investigation into the case.

Shortly after Bradley was arrested and in interview, he stated that he believed the victim to have been at least 17-years-old, and he denied telling her that he was 18. The victim was in fact 14.

As part of the investigation, Bradley's mobile phone was seized and examination of the handset showed that he was in possession of indecent images of children.

Bradley, now 32, formerly of Wyndham Way in North Shields, was charged with grooming, multiple counts of sexual activity with a child, rape, and possession of indecent images of a child.

On the first day of his trial in August, he plead guilty to all of the offences against him excluding the rape charge which he maintained his innocence over.

Following discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) the rape charge was amended to a further offence of sexual activity with a child, which Bradley pleaded guilty to.

On Monday, October 19, Bradley was back before the same court where he was sentenced to four years and six months in prison.

He was also made subject to a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

The victim-survivor’s victim personal statement (VPS), which was read out in court as part of Bradley’s sentencing, read: “For a while I blamed myself for what happened to me.

“Day after day I cried, wondering if I would ever feel like myself again.

“I felt disgusted and humiliated. I felt ashamed of myself.

“But I soon realised that it’s not my fault that he took advantage of me.

“What he did changed me in so many ways and now I’m scared to trust people.

“Sometimes it replays in my head and keeps me awake at night.”

Following the sentencing Detective Sergeant Alan Gibbons, of Northumbria Police, said: “Firstly, I’d like to pay tribute to the victim-survivor for her bravery in this case.

“She has shown immense courage to come forward and report the horrendous crimes she was subjected to and we hope that now Bradley has been sentenced she is able to take a degree of closure as she seeks to rebuild her life.”

Det Sgt Gibbons added: “Lewis Bradley is a predator who took advantage of a child for his own sexual gratification and that is completely unacceptable.

“He gave no regard for the victim-survivor’s wellbeing whatsoever and I am pleased he has now been jailed.

“I sincerely hope that this case serves as a reminder to anyone who is a victim of sexual offences that if you come forward to report these types of crimes to us you will be listened to and you will be believed.

“We have dedicated officers here for you and will offer all of the support we can.”