A ‘despicable’ pervert who groomed a teenage girl for his own sexual gratification has been locked up after supplying her with cannabis to help fulfil his deviant desires.
Sami Brek sent a number of text messages to the girl expressing his sexual interest in her but acknowledged there was a significant age gap between the pair.
However, Teesside Crown Court heard how the 32-year-old ignored his own warning signs and engaged in sexual activity with her several years ago.
A judge heard how Brek was found guilty of two charges of sexual activity with a child and supplying a Class B drug cannabis.
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Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, urged the judge to impose a sexual harm prevention order to curb the defendant’s activities once he is released from custody.
He said: “He used a mobile phone to communicate with a child and there were elements of grooming.”
Brek, of Southfield Road, Middlesbrough, committed the offences in the Stockton area.
David Ward, mitigating, said his client has now started to accept responsibility for the behaviour with the young girl.
He added: “He did maintain his innocence but there has been some acceptance in his pre-sentence report of the nature of his offending.
The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Paul Watson KC, locked the pervert up for five years.
He said: “There was a period of grooming behaviour by you and I have no doubt that you targeted her for your own sexual gratification.
“Children can behave in an inappropriate way sometimes but you have to treat them as what they are – children.
“You knew her age and you knew you were developing a sexual attraction towards her. You texted her saying the problem was obvious and that was her age.
“You were more than a decade older than her – this was not the fumbling of a pair of teenagers. You provided her with cannabis which made her even less likely to resist you.
“It is despicable behaviour and it wholly unjustified. You knew when you engaged in this behaviour that it was wrong.”
Brek was also made subject to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order and told he must sign on the sex offenders’ register for the same period once he is released from custody.
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Speaking after the hearing, Cleveland Police spokesman said: “Sami Brek preyed on a vulnerable teenage girl and groomed her, supplied her with drugs and engaged in sexual activity with her. He went on to deny the offences, which then put the victim through the ordeal of a full trial. The jury convicted him of all offences.
“I’d like to thank the victim in this case for her courage in reporting these crimes and being determined in continuing through the judicial process, resulting in today’s outcome.
“Thankfully, Brek can now no longer harm any other children and he will now spend a lengthy period behind bars for the horrendous offences he committed.”
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