Durham man jailed for grooming and sexually abusing 15-year-old girl
Damian Parkin isolated the victim from her family and coached her to avoid detection
A Durham man has been jailed for multiple child sexual abuse offences.
Damian Parkin, 30, from Durham, was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday 2nd October to 37 months in prison, for engaging in sexual activity with a child, taking indecent images of a child, and perverting the course of justice.
Parkin was also placed on the sex offenders register for life, and made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The victim was additionally granted a five-year restraining order against him.
Having previously pleaded guilty, Parkin received a reduced sentence, and the victim was not required to give evidence at trial.
On Thursday 13th March 2026, North Yorkshire Police received a referral from Children's Services regarding concerns of child grooming and sexual exploitation involving a 15-year-old girl.
The concerns were initially raised by a family member, who reported inappropriate behaviour by the then-29-year-old man towards the child.
During the investigation, evidence revealed a sustained pattern of grooming behaviour, designed to facilitate the sexual exploitation of the victim for the offender's own sexual gratification, police said.
The investigation found that Parkin had employed a number of grooming tactics, first gaining the trust of both the victim and her family by presenting himself as caring, supportive and understanding.
He then exploited the child's vulnerabilities, gradually creating an emotional dependency upon him.
Throughout the course of their contact, Parkin provided the victim with a variety of gifts to foster a sense of loyalty and obligation towards him.
The investigation established that Parkin deliberately sought to isolate the victim from her family and professionals involved in her care.
He created opportunities to spend time alone with the child, encouraged secrecy regarding their relationship, and progressively undermined the support and protection offered by trusted adults around her, police said.
Parkin attempted to normalise his behaviour by portraying the relationship as consensual and legitimate, forming part of a wider pattern of manipulation designed to reduce the likelihood of disclosure and maintain his control over the victim.
Following the seizure and examination of Parkin's digital devices, extensive communications between him and the victim were recovered.
These included evidence that he had actively coached the victim on how to avoid detection and conceal the nature of their contact.
Officers also located nine category C indecent images of the victim, which had been created by Parkin.
The evidence gathered during the investigation demonstrated a calculated and deliberate course of conduct, in which Parkin exploited a vulnerable child through manipulation, isolation and coercive influence, in order to facilitate her sexual exploitation.
Detective Constable Lauren Batey, of North Yorkshire Police, said the conviction "demonstrates our commitment to protecting children from sexual exploitation and bringing those who prey on vulnerable young people before the courts".
"Cases of child sexual exploitation are often hidden, and victims may not always recognise they are being exploited or feel able to speak about what is happening. I would encourage those who have concerns about a child to report these concerns," DC Batey said.
"We take all reports of CSE seriously, and work closely with our safeguarding partners to ensure children receive the protection and support they need," she said.
Anyone wishing to report rape or sexual abuse, no matter how long ago it happened, can make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website, or call 101 and speak to the Force Control Room.
Anyone in immediate danger should always dial 999.
IDAS, an independent charity, supports victims of sexual violence and abuse regardless of whether they have reported it to police.
Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, and adult victims of non-recent sexual abuse can also get in touch for support.
Childline is available for young people on 0800 1111.
Anyone who prefers not to go directly to the police, and is not in immediate danger, can contact North Yorkshire's Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0330 223 0362.
Support is also available through Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire, on 01609 643100.