Britain’s Got Talent dancer, 23, is jailed for two years and nine months after repeatedly sexually abusing boy, 13
- Christopher Gittins, 23, used the boy for his own ‘gratification’, a court heard
- He pleaded guilty to six counts relating to him engaging in sexual activity with the boy, who was aged between 13 and 15, ahead of sentencing yesterday
- Gittins reached the BGT final as part of breakdancing troupe BoogieStorm
A dance teacher who reached the Britain’s Got Talent final in 2016 has been jailed for two years and nine months after repeatedly sexually abusing a child.
Christopher Gittins, 23, used the boy as an ’emotional crutch’ and repeatedly abused his victim for his own ‘gratification’, Caernarfon Crown Court heard.
He pleaded guilty to six counts relating to him engaging in sexual activity with the boy, who was aged between 13 and 15, ahead of being sentenced yesterday.
Gittins was a member of Britain’s Got Talent dance act BoogieStorm, the breakdancing Stormtroopers who reached the ITV final four years ago.
His offences are in the most serious category under the sentencing guidelines, aggravated by the ‘significant difference in age’ between him and the victim, now 15.
Judge Niclas Parry, sentencing, told him: ‘This has been an abuse of trust. You took advantage of a 13-year-old. What you did was to groom him and cause him to believe he was special. You would call him and buy him gifts.
‘You clearly knew that what you were doing was illegal.’
Christopher Gittins (right), 23, used the boy as an ’emotional crutch’ and repeatedly abused his victim for his own ‘gratification’, Caernarfon Crown Court heard
The court heard how the incidents gad taken place at locations including Powis Castle grounds near Welshpool, and a public toilet in the town.
The incident occurred over two months in 2018.
Prosecuting, John Philpotts, said the matter came to light when the teen’s mother borrowed his phone and read the Facebook messages from Gittins.
Reading her impact statement in court the victim’s mother told Gittins that he had robbed him of his ‘childhood’ and his ‘innocence’. She said he had lost his friends and his confidence as a result of what had happened.
‘When I read the messages you sent to my son, I felt sick,’ she told him.
The victim said the experience left him ‘anxious’ and that his education had suffered.
Gittins was a member of Britain’s Got Talent dance act BoogieStorm, the breakdancing Stormtroopers who reached the ITV final four years ago
Gittins was arrested on January 9, 2019, the day after his mother reported her suspicions to Newtown Police Station.
Defending, John Hedgecoe, told the court: ‘He has indicated remorse and has accepted his responsibility throughout.’
Gittins, of Welshpool, was jailed for two years and nine months on each count to be served concurrently. He must serve half before being released on licence.
He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life meaning he cannot approach males aged under 16. He must also pay the victims’ surcharge.
BoogieStorm reached the final of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2016.
They received Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer which sent them through automatically to the finals where they came third behind series winner magician Richard Jones.