Monster Sentenced After Grooming 12-Year-Old on Social Media
Matthew Scott, 40, from Woodville Road, Hartshorne, has been locked up for nearly a decade after grooming a 12-year-old boy online using a fake name.
Grooming and Deception
Scott, who was 39 at the time, struck up a two-week online friendship with the boy in May 2022. He arranged to meet him in a shop before driving him back to his own home, where the offending took place.
Later, spotting a worrying message on the boy’s phone, Scott dropped him off near his home. He begged the boy not to tell anyone, warning it would “ruin his life.”
Brave Boy Speaks Out
The boy went home visibly upset. Together with his parents, he reported the abuse to the police.
Scott was arrested shortly after, charged, and remanded in custody.
Harsh Sentence and Warning
On Monday 13 February, Scott was sentenced to nine years and nine months behind bars. He must also serve a one-year extended licence and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
“I want to thank the boy and his family for the great courage they have shown throughout the investigation and the court process,” said Detective Constable Natalie Fletcher of the Child Abuse Investigation Team.
“This was a horrific incident that has impacted the boy and his family immensely. I hope the maximum sentence brings them some solace and closure.”
DC Fletcher urged anyone suffering abuse or who suspects a child is communicating with someone pretending to be another online to come forward.
“We take these allegations very seriously. Our specially trained officers conduct thorough investigations to bring perpetrators to justice and support victims and their families.”
