Gary Sheilds, 37, has been locked up for nine years after raping a 12-year-old girl he groomed online. The shocking case unfolded after he preyed on the girl via social media before meeting and assaulting her in person.
Groomed on TikTok Before Moving to WhatsApp and Snapchat
Sheilds, living in Scotland at the time, hit up the young victim on TikTok in January 2024. He flattered her, and they quickly swapped numbers. Their chat moved off TikTok to WhatsApp and Snapchat, with video calls becoming a regular thing.
Chilling Meet-Up Ends in Assault in Penwortham
On 2nd February, Sheilds arranged to meet the girl in Penwortham. He drove her to a car park, where he raped and sexually assaulted her. The abuse only came to light after the girl’s parents found disturbing messages on her phone.
Sheilds Denies Assault But Evidence Speaks Louder
Sheilds admitted speaking to the girl but denied the assault. When asked about her age, he claimed he knew she was young but couldn’t recall exactly how young. He even admitted she was probably in her school uniform during their meeting.
During his police interview, Sheilds blamed drug addiction and even hinted he “could be” sexually attracted to children at the time.
On Bail But Defied Strict No-Contact Orders
At the time of the crime, Sheilds was on bail from Police Scotland with a strict ban on contacting anyone under 16. Police found photos of the victim, indecent images and videos on his devices, alongside Google searches including the victim’s school name.
Guilty Plea Sees Him Locked Up for Nine Years
After talks with the Crown Prosecution Service, Sheilds was charged with raping a girl under 13 and inciting sexual activity. He pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court on 16th July 2025.
The judge handed down a nine-year prison term plus a one-year licence on release.
This case is a grim warning of the dark dangers hiding in social media’s shadows.
