[Mokka]

Originally Posted by Alf

It comes down to self control. Sleeping with someone should be a big step, and you should really know a bit about the person, instead of diving in blindfolded.

We're all responsible for our own actions, think your decisions through, be smart and be disciplined.

I agree with this.

[Eddie.]

I really don't know who's at fault here?

The girl is old enough to know what she was getting herself into.

The man really thought she was 19, and I don't blame him cause some pre-teen girls these days look much more older and mature. Though he could have realised something was off right?

Regardless I don't think he should have been charged of rape...

[Livia]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

people generally know a persons age in relation to their own friends. I don't believe for a second that a 27 year old man thought she was anything other than too young. He may not have known her specific age, but he would have known something wasn't right. I consider that taking advantage.

Didn't see this when I said the same thing virtually... we're like, communicating mentally or sumink.

[Morgan.]

Originally Posted by Eddie.

I really don't know who's at fault here?

The girl is old enough to know what she was getting herself into.

The man really thought she was 19, and I don't blame him cause some pre-teen girls these days look much more older and mature. Though he could have realised something was off right?

Regardless I don't think he should have been charged of rape...

Agree 100% with the bolded.

But It is rape, she’s underage regardless of lying or not

[Morgan.]

Originally Posted by Livia

She. Is. Underage.

And you know, I've got a niece who's 14, she's very mature for her age, but when I spend time with her it's obvious she's only 14. I find it hard to believe this man at 27 didn't smell a rat.

I. Know. That.

She’s still not innocent - let’s just allow her to do the same thing to another guy and continue pretending he’s the only one at fault.

[parmnion]

Originally Posted by Blurryface

And the age of criminal responsibility is 12, therefore she’s old enough to know what she did was wrong.

I’m not saying he’s any less in the wrong but she is partly responsible.

She didnt do anything wrong by law so she has nothing to supposedly feel guilty about...this sick man however...well..I went go there his life is obviously sad and devoid of any love.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Eddie.

I really don't know who's at fault here?

The girl is old enough to know what she was getting herself into.

The man really thought she was 19, and I don't blame him cause some pre-teen girls these days look much more older and mature. Though he could have realised something was off right?

Regardless I don't think he should have been charged of rape...

I'm going to type this slowly... because maybe people are reading this too fast and not getting it.

The man is at fault. The girl is FOUR YEARS under the age of sexual consent. His pleading ignorance is no defence.

He was charged with rape because if you have sex with an underage person it is statutory rape... because they aren't able to give their consent because they aren't old enough.

[Tom4784]

It's down to him to make sure she was telling the truth about her age, I think as a general rule of thumb, if you're dating someone who says they are 18 or 19, you need to verify it before it goes further although I think it's a bit gross to date a teenager if you aren't in the same age bracket anyway.

I don't think she should face consequences for her part in it but I do think in cases like this, if it can be proven that the adult was misled then there probably should be some sort of leniency when it comes to sentencing.

That being said, I have little sympathy for the man in this case, sharing someone else's nudes with your friends is gross and even more so in this situation. He seems like a pig.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Blurryface

I. Know. That.

She’s still not innocent - let’s just allow her to do the same thing to another guy and continue pretending he’s the only one at fault.

I can assure you that in English law, she is blameless.

I'm not arguing. I'm telling you. Statutory rape. Whether you know her age or not.

[Amy Jade]

They should ban her from the internet or have it monitored.

This is a bit sensitive but when I was ill a few years back my mum found out I had been using a pro-ana message board and she got me help and monitored my internet usage.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Amy Jade

They should ban her from the internet or have it monitored.

This is a bit sensitive but when I was ill a few years back my mum found out I had been using a pro-ana message board and she got me help and monitored my internet usage.

They definitely should. Adults have to be responsible with kids and the Internet, as your Mum clearly was. If only all young people had at least one decent parent, if only the children's homes were empty, eh?

[caprimint]

Why on earth would he think that she's not 19 if she says she is??? That's not his problem it's hers

There is no way that this was his fault at all, he did what he'd do with a 19yr old, it doesn't sound like he did anything 'dodgy' here, it was her actions and I also do not believe that she 'didn't know what she was doing', ****ing hell being on a dating site like that saying she's 19, having sex... this girl has experience. He shouldn't go to prison (obviously), she's a little bitch

[caprimint]

Originally Posted by Blurryface

Agree 100% with the bolded.

But It is rape, she’s underage regardless of lying or not

'Rape' is forcing someone to have sex which he didn't do, it doesn't matter if she's underage or not

[bitontheslide]

Originally Posted by caprimint

'Rape' is forcing someone to have sex which he didn't do, it doesn't matter if she's underage or not

that's not the law

[arista]

He made the error

[Livia]

Originally Posted by caprimint

'Rape' is forcing someone to have sex which he didn't do, it doesn't matter if she's underage or not

[Statutory] Rape is having sex with a child who is too young to consent.

12 is four years too young to consent.

It matters very much whether she's underage. In the eyes of the law she is a child.

[Tom4784]

Rape is also having sex with someone who can't give consent. A minor is not legally able to consent to sex.

[caprimint]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

It's down to him to make sure she was telling the truth about her age, I think as a general rule of thumb, if you're dating someone who says they are 18 or 19, you need to verify it before it goes further although I think it's a bit gross to date a teenager if you aren't in the same age bracket anyway.

I don't think she should face consequences for her part in it but I do think in cases like this, if it can be proven that the adult was misled then there probably should be some sort of leniency when it comes to sentencing.

That being said, I have little sympathy for the man in this case, sharing someone else's nudes with your friends is gross and even more so in this situation. He seems like a pig.

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by caprimint

The life experiences between someone in their late teens and someone entering their late 20's are too different, to me being in my late 20's, dating an 18 year old would be like dating a child. I couldn't do it.

[parmnion]

His not guilt plea for rape was accepted so it's a mute point in this case.

[parmnion]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

The life experiences between someone in their late teens and someone entering their late 20's are too different, to me being in my late 20's, dating an 18 year old would be like dating a child. I couldn't do it.

So you find people that don't have the same life experience as you gross?

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Livia

She didn't ruin anyone's life. She is underage.

She has ruined his life so that's a lie

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Blurryface

Agree 100% with the bolded.

But It is rape, she’s underage regardless of lying or not

Wasn't he cleared of rape

[bitontheslide]

Originally Posted by parmnion

His not guilt plea for rape was accepted so it's a mute point in this case.

the court accepts any plea made, that doesn't make the person innocent

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Adam.

She has ruined his life so that's a lie

Adam, at 12 she is a child and not at all culpable in the eyes of the law.

This story should give everyone a reminder not to take something someone tells you as gospel.