Watford man sentenced following numerous child sex offences

A man from Watford has been sentenced to five years in prison in connection with numerous child sex offences.

Simon Ross, aged 59 and of The Parade, High Street, befriended two 13-year-old girls online before exploiting them for his own sexual gratification and paying them for sexual contact.

He first met them on an online chatroom before moving conversations on to Snapchat, St Albans Crown Court heard. When they met in person across the town and at his home address, Ross would buy them vapes and alcohol and discuss paying them for sexual favours.

The incidents happened between 1 July and 17 August 2022, and he was charged on 11 September 2023 following an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Child Sexual Exploitation Team.

Ross denied seven counts of paying for sexual services of a child and two counts of causing sexual exploitation of a child.

Ross was convicted of all offences and sentenced to a total of five years in prison on Friday 29 November, and is now subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He pleaded guilty to one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image.

Detective Constable Jemma Warburton, from the Child Sexual Exploitation Team, said: “Simon Ross exploited two young girls and preyed on their innocence. He was 56 at the time of the incidents and should have known better.

“This sort of crime will never be tolerated and we hope this sentence allows the victims to move on and rebuild their lives.

“I’m pleased Ross is now behind bars where he can no longer harm anyone else.

“Becoming a victim of sexual offences is never your fault. If you’ve been a victim, no matter how long ago the offence occurred, please report it. We have specialist officers on hand to provide advice and support throughout an investigation. The constabulary also has a number of officers who are specially trained to provide support to members of the LGBT+ community.”

Meanwhile, the Halo team specifically investigates child sexual exploitation. It proactively targets and disrupts those who are sexually exploiting young people and works with intelligence teams to safeguard those most at risk and bring perpetrators to justice.

If you suspect a person of carrying out child sexual exploitation, or think someone you know has been a victim, or may be soon, visit our How to report possible child abuse web page or call our non-emergency number, 101. If someone is in immediate danger of harm, please call 999.