'Despicable' child sex fiend jailed for ten years

Tom Steven Wilkes (22) admitted two counts of attempting to incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He also pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a girl under 16, causing a child under 13 to look at a sexual image and possession of an extreme image.

Det Insp John Fitzgibbons said: “Wilkes preyed on young teenage girls online, exploiting their vulnerability to try and get them to meet him and engage in sexual acts.

“His behaviour is despicable and dangerous, and I am relieved he entered guilty pleas and spared his victims the further distress of a trial process.”

Wilkes of Pitt Street in Rotherham was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday. He contacted three girls from the area — two under 13 years old — via social media, the court heard.

He bombarded them with messages asking to meet and take part in sexual activity with him. Some included crude content and explicit images.

One of the girls reported the abuse to an adult in January. South Yorkshire Police launched a joint investigation with Rotherham Borough Council and children’s charity Barnardo’s.

A number of other victims were identified and officers seized Wilkes’ phone, recovering explicit messages sent to victims.

Det Insp Fitzgibbons said: “The victims in this case should be commended for their bravery in coming forward to tell adults about this crime.

“I hope that this case encourages other victims and survivors of sexual exploitation to come forward and report their abuse, with the confidence that they will be listened to and that police will investigate thoroughly.”

The victims continue to receive specialist support from Rotherham’s multi-agency child sexual exploitation team.

Anyone with concerns about a child should contact police on 101. The NSPCC runs a 24-hour confidential helpline for victims — call 0800 7319256 or email [email protected].