Footballer Kieran Hamilton has been sentenced to five years in prison for grooming and raping a teenage girl on Snapchat. The then 17-year-old Hamilton added the 14-year-old victim on Snapchat in December 2018 and convinced her to send him explicit pictures. He then used these images as leverage over the victim and forced her to meet up with him. Hamilton pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. After a trial in April, he was found guilty of raping the girl in February 2019 and cleared of raping her in January.
The impact of Hamilton’s actions on the victim has been severe. In an impact statement read out in court, she shared how the incident has left her feeling scared and anxious, and the impact the assault had had on her future. She said: “Right after it happened, I was scared of being alone, I’d cry if I was on my own, and I couldn’t sleep alone. I felt anxious all the time, nauseous and I stopped eating, and I started getting suicidal thoughts. I lost a lot of my friends, in school I would disassociate myself and I would not pay attention to my lessons. I would blame myself a lot for what happened because I feel like I could’ve stopped it.”
Hamilton’s behaviour was described as “despicable and predatory” by Detective Constable Hayley Carroll from Bedfordshire Police’s cyber hub. She added that “Hamilton’s despicable and predatory behaviour saw him use explicit images as a means of controlling his victim for his own sexual gratification. It is absolutely vile and completely wrong. We have a clear focus on tackling any perpetrators of violence against women and girls and putting them behind bars.”
The case highlights the importance of tackling grooming and sexual exploitation online. With more young people spending time online, it is important that they are aware of the risks and how to stay safe. Parents and carers also have a role to play in educating young people about the risks of online grooming and exploitation.
Heading 1: The Case of Kieran Hamilton
Heading 2: Grooming and Rape on Snapchat
Heading 3: Impact on the Victim
Heading 4: Despicable and Predatory Behaviour
Heading 5: Tackling Online Grooming and Exploitation
In conclusion, the case of Kieran Hamilton highlights the importance of tackling grooming and sexual exploitation online. It is important that young people are aware of the risks and how to stay safe online. Parents and carers also have a role to play in educating young people about the risks of online grooming and exploitation. The sentencing of Hamilton to five years in prison sends a strong message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and that perpetrators will be brought to justice.