Man Jailed for Sex Offences Against Children

Luke Poland, 27, of Percy Street, Stratford, has been sentenced to 34 months in prison at Warwick Crown Court for a series of sex offences against children.

Poland pleaded guilty to sexual assault, sexual activity in the presence of a child, exposure, voyeurism, and intentionally attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 15 to engage in sexual activity.

The court heard that in 2017, Poland sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl at his home. In 2019, he befriended a 14-year-old girl online, pretending to be the same age. After the girl sent him a photo of herself, he replied with an explicit photo of himself.

In 2021, Poland exposed himself to a waitress at a restaurant in Stratford. In 2022, he attempted to entice a 15-year-old girl into his car in Coventry.

In January 2023, police were called to a shop in Leamington after staff reported that a man had used his phone to film two young girls in the changing room. CCTV footage identified Poland as the offender, and he was subsequently arrested.

Detective Constable Simon Harvey, who investigated the incident in Leamington, said: "Poland has a concerning sexual interest in children and is quite willing to act on his disturbing fantasies. He quite clearly poses a danger to young girls and deserves to be in prison."

Detective Constable Matt Cowley, who investigated the other offences, praised the bravery of Poland's victims and said their support resulted in the conviction of a "predatory" offender.

In addition to his prison sentence, Poland was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.