Man Jailed for Offering Drugs and Money to Teenager for Sexual Activity

A 50-year-old man, Martin Brett, has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a teenage boy. Brett, from Keighley, was found guilty of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with the same boy.

The court heard that Brett, who was struggling with alcohol and cocaine addiction, contacted the boy through Facebook. While initially engaging in general conversations, Brett's messages became increasingly inappropriate and disturbing.

Brett's attempts to dispose of evidence on his phone were discovered when the mother of another boy, who had learned of the situation, reported it to the police.

The prosecution argued that Brett's actions constituted grooming behavior, highlighting the age difference between him and the teenager, as well as his offering of cannabis and money in exchange for sexual activity.

Despite Brett's claims of remorse and mental health difficulties, the court determined that he had clear intentions to engage in sexual activity with the boy. Recorder David Gordon emphasized the seriousness of the offenses, acknowledging the mother's vital role in reporting the incident and preventing further harm.

Brett was also placed on an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required to register as a sex offender.