A YOUNG Carlisle man who sent intimate pictures of himself to a child has been put on the Sex Offender Register for five years.

Christopher Greensmith, 21, had denied communicating sexually with the child and causing the same 14-year-old girl to look at an image of sexual activity but he was convicted after a trial at the city’s Rickergate court.

The prosecution case was that the defendant, of Dalegarth Avenue, Harraby, was aware of the age of the girl he was communicating with. Despite that knowledge, he sent the teenager intimate images of himself.

He did this between February 1, 2021 and March 19 of the same year, for the purpose of “obtaining sexual gratification,” said prosecutor Carl Gaffney.

Kate Hunter, defending, said the defendant was 19 at the time he committed the offences. Greensmith’s father had passed away suddenly when he was 16, she told District Judge John Temperley.

“He now cares for his disabled mother,” she said.

Explaining the impact of the conviction, the lawyer said: “It’s caused him a great deal of stress and anxiety and suicidal thoughts.  He has only just turned 21.” After completing college, he had worked as a healthcare assistant.

He now had another job. Since the offence came to light, Greensmith had sought out counselling and therapy to address his issues.

Previously a person with an active social life, he had now shunned social media except to communicate with his family and work colleagues. “He has become rather isolated,” said Miss Hunter.

She outlined how the defendant had been assaulted as a result of the offence he had committed, and this illustrated how he had been significantly affected by what had happened.

District Judge John Temperley noted that Greensmith had no previous criminal history and there was no suggestion of a repetition of his illegal behaviour.  “I have also heard about your caring responsibilities for your mother,” said the judge.

District Judge Temperley said he could draw back from imposing custody because the help Greensmith would get while serving a lengthy community order will better protect the public, particularly “younger females.”

He imposed a three-year community order with three requirements. They are:

  • That Greensmith completes an accredited sexual offending programme;
  • That he completes 30 rehabilitation activity days.
  • And that he completes 200 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to prison.

Greensmith was given a sexual harm prevention order which bans him from having unsupervised contact with any female child unless this is inadvertent; or with the with the consent of the child’s parents and they are aware of his offending history.

The judge imposed an order banning any contact with the victim for five years; and the defendant will remain on the Sex Offender Register for the same period.

He must pay costs of £250, a £95 victim surcharge and £500 compensation to the teenage girl who was the victim.