Aaron Whitwell Receives Third Prison Sentence for Sexual Activity With an Underage Girl

Aaron Whitwell, a 28-year-old man from West Cornforth, Durham, has been sentenced to a third prison term for engaging in sexual activity with an underage girl. This latest seven-year sentence will be served consecutively after he completes his current seven-year extended sentence for previous similar offenses and a two-year prison term for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Whitwell's history of predatory behavior against young females has led to him being labeled as a dangerous offender by the court. This latest conviction marks his third offense involving child sexual abuse.

His pattern of offending began while he was on licence from a previous 33-month sentence for offenses against another teenage girl. Despite being subject to an indefinite SHPO prohibiting contact with children under 16, Whitwell continued to engage in harmful behavior.

Whitwell's latest offense involved contacting the victim through Snapchat, posing as a teenager named "Aaron Hardy." He initiated sexually explicit conversations and ultimately met with the girl, engaging in sexual activity on multiple occasions.

The victim bravely came forward after her friend's sister raised suspicions about Whitwell's true identity. She described feeling betrayed and violated by his deception, stating that it had a profound impact on her mental health and well-being, causing nightmares, self-harm, and strained relationships with loved ones.

Judge Richard Bennett emphasized Whitwell's "deviant sexual preferences" and deemed him an untamed offender who poses a significant risk to young girls. He imposed a seven-year prison sentence for the new offenses, followed by a five-year extended license period upon release. Additionally, Whitwell was subjected to an indefinite restraining order against his latest victim and a new SHPO.

This case highlights the importance of vigilance in protecting children from online predators and emphasizes the devastating consequences of child sexual abuse.