By Sex offender walks free in Doncaster
A Doncaster man who has been referred to as an ‘obsessive’ pervert and sex offender has avoided prison and walked free from a South Yorkshire court.
Grant McNeil, 22, pressured his teenage victim into sending photographs of herself to him after harassing her online.
It is alleged that over the course of a few months, McNeil hounded the girl with hundreds of explicit messages, before following her home from work.
He then shared these photographs more widely using the online aliases.
Investigating Officer PC Sam Egan-Wyer of South Yorkshire Police said:
“McNeil’s messages became grossly offensive and intimidating, as he desperately tried to coerce her into sending him photographs of herself.
“As the victim blocked McNeil, he would set up more social media accounts, finding new ways and identities to continue harassing her.
“One day, McNeil’s victim looked at her phone to find 70 unread messages, 10 missed calls and countless snapchat and Instagram messages.
“His offending wasn’t just online, he also followed his victim home from work to find out where she lived.
“This sustained harassment has been incredibly distressing for this young woman, who has been left in fear of leaving the house.
Grant McNeil pleaded guilty to stalking involving fear of violence and the distribution of an indecent photograph of a child on 2 March at Sheffield Crown Court.
On Monday 6 July, he received a suspended prison sentence of one year and four months.
McNeil was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £140.
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