A
former schoolteacher, who picked up a 14 year-old boy on social
networking app 'Grindr' and took him home for sex, has been jailed
for five years.
Gary
Pearce, 40, of Ellenborough Road, Sidcup met the youth in a
supermarket car park and returned him to the same location after
taking the teen to his address.
He
was convicted at Inner London Crown Court of one count of grooming a
child and once count of sexual activity with a child.
Police
were contacted by the parents of the victim after they found messages
of a sexual nature on his phone.
Officers
were told that in the summer of 2012 the victim had been in contact
with Pearce through 'Grindr' and despite the victim informing the
defendant of his age, they met.
Under
police interview Pearce claimed his victim had told him he was of the
age of consent but made no comment to all other questions put to him.
Detective
Constable Chris Hammond said: "Despite being in a position of
trust as a teacher Gary Pearce met the fourteen year-old victim
through the internet, then arranged and proceeded to meet him in
person.
"The
Metropolitan Police is dedicated to protecting young and vulnerable
people and encourage victims to come forward where they will be fully
supported by specially trained officers."
Detective
Inspector Neal Burton from the Sapphire Command said: "Pearce
utilised the internet to manipulate the child into meeting him.
“This
crime again shows the vulnerability of the internet and social media,
which is used by paedophiles to meet their victims.
“This
conviction will provide reassurance that we will relentlessly pursue
those who commit these dreadful crimes against children."
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