February 2014: Now been released and living in Lancaster – Postcode LA1

March 2012

Carnforth paedophile groomed girls via Facebook

A ‘MANIPULATIVE’ Carnforth man labelled a danger to the public has been jailed for eight years after sexually grooming three young girls over Facebook.

Preston Crown Court heard how Alan Spragg, 25, of Pond Street, used the social networking site to befriend two 14-year-olds and another aged 13 to ‘engage them in covert sexual suggestions’.

Supermarket worker Spragg pleaded guilty to four charges – two of meeting a girl under 16 after grooming on the internet and two of sexually touching a 14-year-old.

The court heard Spragg made one of the girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons, touch his genitalia after he had touched her over and under her clothing.

His Honour Judge Wright told him: “All that for sexual gratification at a time you knew this girl was vulnerable because of circumstances you were aware of at the time.

“The victim will be traumatised to some extent.”

Via his first victim, Spragg made contact with a second 14-year-old, a friend of the first girl.

Judge Wright said it was clear from messages he sent her that Spragg was ‘hoping to engage the girl in sexual intercourse’.

The court was told that the stepfather of one of his victims asked Spragg to stop contacting her but that he continued to do so.

And, when bailed after his arrest and ordered to have no contact with young females, Spragg approached a third girl, aged 13. “It was persistent and manipulative and deceitful and shows a side of your character which contrasts with the character references that have been placed for you,” said Judge Wright.

”You are a danger and there is a significant risk of you causing further harm.”

Members of Spragg’s family embraced in the public gallery as he was given a four-year custodial sentence and a four-year extension, minus the 67 days he has already spent on remand.

The court also imposed a sexual offences order to ban Spragg from any device he could use to contact children.

He will also never be able to work with children.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Sergeant Simon Coates said: “I am very satisfied with this sentence and it reflects the serious nature of the offences committed by Alan Spragg.

“Anybody who is concerned that a young person in their care is being sexually exploited should contact their local police or children’s services department for help and support.

“We will not tolerate individuals who seek to exploit young people sexually.”