Sexual Grooming Offence Solicitors
At Draycott Browne, we understand that being arrested for allegations of child grooming are extremely distressing and traumatic and that you will need the help and support of an expert team of sexual offence solicitors to ensure first-class legal representation from the start.
If you or someone you know finds themselves in this situation, contact our specialist Criminal Defence Solicitors so that we can begin to protect your rights and build a robust and effective defence for you as soon as possible.
How we can help
It is of the utmost importance that you seek the legal services of solicitors with the necessary expertise and experience, to robustly challenge any evidence against you and build a compelling and effective defence to secure you the best possible outcome. Draycott Browne can provide you with just that and will deliver the quality representation that you should expect from your legal team.
We have a proven track record of successfully defending cases of child grooming and will deal with your case sensitively and discreetly.
We will provide you with clear, in-depth advice from the outset, liaise with the police and accompany you to interviews. We will submit bail applications and work to reduce the impact of any bail conditions. We will carry out a thorough and meticulous review of all the evidence against you and will use all resources available to us to prepare a robust and proactive response. We take pride in our dedication and commitment to securing the right result for all of our clients and will pursue this with a diligence and tenacity that is second to none.
We have a reputation for achieving excellent results and consistently work to the highest standards to ensure the best possible outcome in all cases.
Dedicated expertise for defending all allegations of child grooming offences.
Our Child Grooming OFFENCES Advice Team
What is child grooming?
If an adult or group of adults meets or communicates with a child under the age of 16 online or by phone, via calls or text messages, they can be accused of child grooming even if the content of the communication was not sexual.
Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, it is an offence to arrange a meeting with a child under 16 for you or someone else with the intent of engaging in sexual activity with the child. According to the Act a person commits an offence if:
- They intentionally arrange or facilitate something that they intend to do, intend another person to do, or believe that another person will do, in any part of the world and,
- Arranging the meeting will involve the commission of an offence including sexual activity with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, or causing a child to watch a sexual act.
What are the penalties for a child grooming offence?
The offence of child grooming carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
There is often significant interest from the local and national media in these investigations, which can place the defendant under immense pressure and stress and do irreparable damage to a person’s reputation, relationships and career.
Anyone convicted of a child grooming offence will also be subject to inclusion on the Sex Offenders Register and will be required to notify the police of certain personal details either for a stated period of time or for life, depending on the sentence handed down.
The Risk of Sexual Harm Order may also be imposed on someone convicted of grooming offences, to prohibit adults from engaging in inappropriate behaviour including sexual conversations with children online. Breaching such an order is a separate offence that carries a custodial sentence of up to five years.
24 hour availability
Arrests are rarely anticipated, which is why we are available around the clock, seven days a week, 365 days of the year, to assist you at the police station, whenever you need us. Our legal experts are only a phone call away to provide immediate, professional advice.
Legal aid
Legal fees can be an unexpected cost that you many struggle to afford. By applying for legal aid, you can relieve financial stress during your case, leaving you to focus on what matters. Our solicitors can advise you on your eligibility and will guide you through the application process, to give you the best chance of success.
Frequently Asked Questions for Sexual Grooming Offences
If you are accused of sexual grooming, it is vital to act swiftly and cautiously:
- Do not engage in any further communication with the alleged victim or their family
- Do not attempt to delete digital evidence such as texts, emails, or social media messages — doing so may appear as an attempt to destroy evidence
- Seek immediate legal representation from specialist sexual offence solicitors
- Avoid discussing the case with anyone other than your legal counsel
Allegations of this nature can have serious consequences both legally and personally. Early advice and representation can significantly impact the direction of the investigation and the strength of your defence.
Beyond the legal penalties, a conviction for sexual grooming carries severe long-term consequences:
- Inclusion on the Sex Offenders’ Register
- Notification requirements, including disclosing changes of address and travel plans
- Risk of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) Prohibition from working with children or vulnerable people
- Reputational damage, affecting employment and personal relationships
- Restrictions on internet use or access to certain public spaces
These consequences can persist long after the sentence is served, affecting every area of life.
Sexual grooming can take many forms, particularly online. Common examples include:
- Initiating contact via social media or messaging apps
- Flattering or befriending a child to gain trust
- Sending sexually explicit messages or images
- Offering gifts or money in exchange for sexualised behaviour
- Persuading a child to keep secrets or lie to parents
- Arranging to meet the child in person
It is the manipulative and calculated nature of these interactions that the law seeks to punish.
Sexual grooming is the deliberate act of building an emotional connection with a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Legally, it involves:
- Communicating with a child on at least two occasions
- Intending to meet the child
- Believing the child is under 16
- Acting with the intention of committing a relevant sexual offence
Even if the meeting never occurs, or no sexual contact takes place, the act of grooming alone can lead to prosecution under Section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
A number of legal defences may be available depending on the facts of the case:
- Mistaken belief in age – If the accused can demonstrate a genuine and reasonable belief that the child was 16 or over
- Lack of intent – The communication must be shown to have had a sexual motive or the intention to meet
- Entrapment or coercion – Where law enforcement or third parties induce a person to commit an offence they would not have otherwise committed
- Lack of evidence – Weak or inconsistent testimony, or lack of corroborating digital evidence, can be challenged
Each case is unique, and a specialist solicitor will assess the evidence to determine the most viable defence.
If you face accusations of grooming a child, it is imperative to:
- Remain silent until legal advice is obtained
- Contact an experienced sexual offence solicitor immediately
- Preserve all communication records, as they may support your defence
- Avoid speaking to the complainant or witnesses
Draycott Browne’s team of sexual offence solicitors in Manchester are experts in defending complicated and sensitive allegations, offering discreet and determined representation when it matters most.
Specialist Child Grooming Offence Lawyers
- 24/7 Availability
- Proven Success in High Profile Cases
- Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation
Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s Grooming Offence Solicitors today.
Contact Draycott Browne Solicitors
When faced with the accusation of grooming a child or children for sex, it is imperative that you seek legal advice and representation from one of the top Criminal Defence Law Firms in the country.
Contact our expert criminal defence solicitors in Manchester today. If you would like us to contact you, simply fill in our online enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch as soon as possible.
The Sexual Offence Solicitors at Draycott Browne are highly regarded, nationally across the legal spectrum and are noted for our consistency in delivering positive results. Our solicitors possess a breadth of technical knowledge and know-how to help build a defence across all Sexual Offences, providing you with the expertise required when facing such sensitive allegations and investigation by the police.
We regularly act for clients in London and throughout the North West including Manchester and Liverpool regarding Sexual Offences and accusations of child grooming, when expert legal representation and advocacy is needed.
By entrusting your case to us, you can be assured that you will be working with a team of highly skilled and experienced sexual offence solicitors who have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the law.
Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, when freedom is at stake, If you or somebody you know has been arrested and needs expert legal representation, call Draycott Browne today or complete our contact form, for the very best criminal defence for allegations of sexual offence.