Man jailed for grooming and abusing teenage girl

A man has been jailed for grooming a 14-year-old girl online and persuading her to take part in sexual acts.

Vitor Soares de Oliveira, 24, initially denied all charges against him before changing his plea on the second day of his trial at Swindon Crown Court in January.

He admitted five counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of making Category A indecent images of a child.

Appearing before Swindon Crown Court on 20 March, Brazilian national Soares de Oliveira was jailed for a total of seven years and six months.

His victim has since been praised for her "strength and resilience" throughout court proceedings.

Det Con Samantha Martin, of Wiltshire Police, said the investigation had been "long and traumatic" for the victim, who "displayed extraordinary strength and resilience throughout."

The court heard how offences came to light after the victim confided in a friend in June, and the police were contacted over concerns she was often missing from home.

The court heard how Soares de Oliveira, who lived in Surrey at the time of his offences, gave his teenage victim drugs, alcohol, vapes and food during visits to Wiltshire.

At the time, she believed he was 19 years old, the court heard.

Det Martin added: "Soares de Oliveira is a predatory offender who targeted the victim online and - whilst in full awareness of her age being only 14 years old – has travelled into Wiltshire repeatedly in order to pursue her for his own sexual gratification.

"Whilst nothing can undo the harm that the victim has experienced, I hope this sentencing outcome offers her some reassurance and closure so that she can move forward with her life in the way that every child deserves."

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