Paedophile jailed for sexually assaulting Lancashire teenager
Gary Sheilds is sentenced to 9 years in prison
Last updated 21st Nov 2025
A man who sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl after meeting her online has been sentenced to nine years in prison following a Crown Prosecution Service consultation.
Gary Sheilds, a 37-year-old of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the rape of a girl under 13 and causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity at Preston Crown Court on 16th July 2025.
He was sentenced earlier this month on 3rd November to nine years in prison with an extended licence period of one year.
In January 2024, Sheilds began communicating with his victim, complimenting her on TikTok.
They later swapped numbers and continued to speak via WhatsApp, Snapchat, and video calls.
While living in Scotland at the time, Sheilds arranged to meet the girl on 2nd February in Penwortham.
He drove her to a car park where he raped and sexually assaulted her.
The offences came to light when the girl’s parent uncovered messages on her phone and reported the matter.
During the investigation, Sheilds admitted to speaking with the girl online but denied raping her or engaging in sexual activity.
When questioned, Sheilds claimed he could not remember the victim’s age but admitted she was young.
He also acknowledged that she might have been wearing her school uniform at the time they met.
Further investigation of his devices revealed images of the victim, internet searches about the victim’s school, indecent images, and an indecent video.
The offences were carried out while Sheilds was on bail under conditions from Police Scotland to avoid contact with anyone under the age of 16.
In a personal statement read aloud in court, the victim said: “When I met him, I was shocked because he did not look the age he had told me, he looked older. This worried me as I thought that he would not let me out of the car if I said anything, so I felt I had to go along with it.”
Detective Sergeant Jenny Cobham of Preston Child Protection Team said: “Gary Sheilds is a despicable, perverted individual. Despite saying he couldn’t remember his victim’s age, he was well aware that she was a child and still chose to prey on her.
“Despite her young age, the victim has shown an incredible resilience throughout proceedings, and I can only commend her for her bravery. I hope the knowledge that Sheilds is now serving a significant prison sentence will allow her to begin to move forward.
“These types of crimes will never be ok. We are committed to preventing it and bringing anyone responsible to justice.
“If you, or someone you know, is a victim of any sexual offence, I want you to know that we will listen to you, we will investigate appropriately and we will do all we can to get you justice.”