Phoebe Pearce Jailed for Breaching Sexual Harm Order After Grooming Schoolgirl

Phoebe Pearce, a 25-year-old female predator from Newport, was sentenced to 17 months in prison for breaching a sexual harm prevention order. The court found that she had groomed and abducted a 14-year-old schoolgirl after luring her via Facebook. Even after a previous court order prohibited her from contacting the victim, Pearce reached out to the girl on social media after the teenager turned 16. This violation led to her arrest following a report from the victim’s mother. During the hearing, the judge emphasized the seriousness of Pearce's actions, stating that her infatuation with the girl had culminated in serious criminal offenses. Pearce previously admitted to charges of grooming, abduction, and sexual activity with a child in September 2022, which initially resulted in a community order and a five-year sexual harm prevention order. However, her disregard for this order placed her back in legal jeopardy. The judge’s comments highlighted Pearce's persistent defiance of court rulings, stating she knew her actions were wrong but continued with the relationship. The renewed five-year order aims to prevent Pearce from contacting the victim again upon her release in early January next year. She remains a significant risk to her former victim and to society, given the nature of her offenses and subsequent violations of the court's directives. This case underscores the troubling issue of online predation and the importance of legal measures to protect vulnerable individuals from such exploitation. Society remains vigilant regarding offenders who disregard court orders designed to prevent further harm.