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Meeting a child following sexual grooming

s.15Sexual Offences Act 2003

A person aged 18 or over who has met or communicated with a child under 16 and then meets, travels to meet or arranges to meet them, intending to commit a sexual offence against them.

Meeting a child following sexual grooming · Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.15Card 137 / 195

Points to prove

The defendant (A) was aged 18 or over
A had met or communicated with another person (B) on one or more occasions
Subsequently eitherA intentionally met B; A travelled intending to meet B, or arranged to meet B, anywhere in the world; or B travelled intending to meet A
A intended to do anything to or in respect of B, during or after the meeting and anywhere in the world, which if done would involve A committing a relevant offence
B was under 16
A did not reasonably believe that B was 16 or over

Key definitions

Met or communicated – s.15(2)(a): meeting B anywhere in the world, or communicating with B by any means from, to or in any part of the world.
One or more occasions – since 13 April 2015 a single earlier meeting or communication is enough. Before then, two were needed.
Relevant offence – s.15(2)(b): an offence under Part 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, or anything done outside England and Wales that would be such an offence if done here.
Intention – the intended offence does not have to be committed, or even attempted. The offence is complete once the meeting or travel happens with the required intent.

Good to know

The earlier contact does not itself have to be sexual. The sexual purpose is shown by A’s intention at the time of the meeting or travel.
Where the “child” is an adult decoy or officer, charge an attempt (Criminal Attempts Act 1981, s.1(2)).
Sexual messages to a child, without any meeting, may be sexual communication with a child (s.15A). Arranging or facilitating a child sex offence is a separate offence (s.14).
Conviction triggers the sex offender notification requirements (Sch. 3).

Legislation: Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.15 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Mode of trial: Either way
Maximum penalty: 10 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Last checked: 2 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Meeting a child following sexual grooming: questions people ask

What are the points to prove for meeting a child following sexual grooming?

1. The defendant (A) was aged 18 or over 2. A had met or communicated with another person (B) on one or more occasions 3. A intentionally met B; A travelled intending to meet B, or arranged to meet B, anywhere in the world; or B travelled intending to meet A 4. A intended to do anything to or in respect of B, during or after the meeting and anywhere in the world, which if done would involve A committing a relevant offence 5. B was under 16 6. A did not reasonably believe that B was 16 or over

What is the maximum sentence for meeting a child following sexual grooming?

10 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)

Is meeting a child following sexual grooming a summary, either-way or indictable offence?

Meeting a child following sexual grooming is an either-way offence: it can be tried in the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court.

What Act and section is meeting a child following sexual grooming?

Meeting a child following sexual grooming is an offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.15.

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