Hereford man jailed after sexually assaulting girl he met on social media
Scott Chapman, 24, of Barklie Mead added his 14 year old victim on Snapchat and Instagram in 2020 when he was 19 years old
Last updated 18th Sep 2025
A man from Hereford who raped an underage girl he befriended on social media has been sentenced today (Thursday 18 September) to four years and three months.
Scott Chapman, 24, of Barklie Mead, Hereford, was convicted at Worcester Crown Court of one count of rape of a girl aged 13 to 15, four counts of sexual assault by penetration of a female aged 13 to 15 years, engaging in sexual communication with a child and making an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child.
Chapman was further served a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to last for ten years, which means he is prohibited from unsupervised contact with a female under the age of 16, prohibited from conducting in paid or voluntary work which would involve contact with a female below the age of 16, and he must inform police of his address and details.
Chapman added his victim on Snapchat and Instagram in 2020 when he was 19 years old, before meeting her and engaging in sexual activity with her even though he knew she was only 14 at the time.
He went on to rape and sexually assault his victim which was later reported to police, leading to his arrest in April 2022.
During the police investigation evidence of these crimes and other sexual offences were uncovered, and though he denied his intimate relationship with her, an examination of his phone proved otherwise.
Chapman continued to deny any sexual relations with his victim but pled guilty at court, which was reflected in his sentencing by the judge, alongside it being his first offence.
Detective Inspector Ben Pearson of Hereford CID said: “We are pleased to get this custodial sentence for Chapman who preyed on an underage girl he met on social media before raping and sexually assaulting her.
“We hope today’s verdict shows we will always pursue sexual predators like him and bring them before the courts to face justice and that it will encourage other victims of rape and sexual assault to come forward.
“We will always listen to you, take your concerns seriously and protect you from offenders like Chapman.”
You can report sexual offences and rape to West Mercia Police on their website Report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences | West Mercia Police