Joseph Beaven

A Lancashire paedophile has walked free from court after grooming a 13-year-old girl online

Joseph Beaven of Preston sent sexually explicit messages to a 13-year-old girl — yet avoided immediate imprisonment.

His victim was a real child. Not an adult posing online or a decoy, but a schoolgirl he knew was underage.

Despite that knowledge, Beaven continued targeting her through social media for his own sexual gratification.

He admitted sexual communication with a child, but when sentenced at Lancaster Courthouse yesterday, he received a suspended prison sentence and was not sent to prison.

Beaven was made subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders register for ten years.

He has links to Preston, Blackpool and the Fylde coast. His employment history includes work in various Preston pubs and a former management role at the Withy Arms in Bamber Bridge.

The case took two years to reach court, and although the family of the victim are relieved the court process is over, they are disappointed that Beaven faced no prison time for the vile offences against their daughter

At the centre of this report is a young girl whose incredible bravery deserves recognition. No child should have to endure sexual exploitation, followed by a prolonged wait for justice.

The effects of grooming can extend far beyond the messages themselves. It can undermine a child’s confidence, damage their sense of safety and make trusting others difficult. Her own feelings are hers to share, but the potential harm must never be dismissed because the offending happened through a screen.

She was 13. He knew she was a child. He continued anyway — and received a sentence that allowed him to avoid immediate imprisonment.

The girl is not being identified. She deserves privacy, support and the chance to recover on her own terms. None of the responsibility belongs to her.