Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Tuesday 4th March 2025, at 14:15hrs
David Stewart, 24, of Fordhouse Lane, Birmingham, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of serious offences against a 13-year-old girl.
The charges included two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, meeting a child following sexual grooming, child abduction, and witness intimidation. He was sentenced at a Manchester court today, Tuesday, March 4th.
The case began in August 2023 when Manchester Children’s Services received a disclosure from a concerned parent about Stewart’s inappropriate behaviour towards their teenage daughter. An immediate investigation was launched by the multi-agency Complex Safeguarding Hub, prioritizing the safety and support of the victim and her family.
Investigations revealed that Stewart had initiated contact with the victim via social media in May 2023. Over several months, he systematically groomed and isolated her, repeatedly luring her away from her family before sexually exploiting her.
Stewart was initially arrested in September 2023 on suspicion of sexual grooming and released on bail with a child abduction warning notice, prohibiting any contact with the victim. However, intelligence received in December 2023 indicated that he had continued to contact the girl.
Detectives subsequently discovered CCTV footage showing Stewart sexually abusing the victim at an airport, prompting a manhunt.
Stewart was swiftly apprehended in Shropshire, West Midlands, and transported back to Manchester. He was charged and remanded in custody.
Detective Inspector Chris Chadderton from the Manchester Complex Safeguarding Hub condemned Stewart’s actions, stating,
“Stewart manipulated and abused this young girl to satisfy his own depraved sexual urges. He continued to offend whilst under police investigation, demonstrating his callous and brazen nature, so I am pleased that this sentence has been passed down and he is now behind bars.”
He praised the victim for her courage in providing evidence, emphasizing that her support was crucial in building a strong case that led to Stewart’s guilty plea.
In addition to the nine-year prison sentence, Stewart has been issued with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order.
The Complex Safeguarding Hub, a collaborative effort between multiple agencies, was lauded for its rapid response and effective safeguarding measures.
The Hub aims to ensure immediate intervention and support for victims of child exploitation while detectives work to apprehend offenders.
G2K INCIDENT WATCH 