UK- Spyware on girl’s email snared her older man

9-10-2008 United Kingdom:

A concerned dad has defended his decision to spy on his teenage daughter’s emails after his actions led to the conviction of the older man she was dating.

The man installed spy software on his daughter’s computer after his usually “open” daughter became secretive and withdrawn.

As a result, ice hockey coach Nicholas Lovell, 38, was convicted for five charges of sexual activity with a child.

Lovell was jailed for four-and-a-half-years for having under-aged sex with the 15-year-old who he met while working as an ice-hockey teacher in 2006.

The teenage girl’s dad, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his daughter, said: “Before it started she used to tell me everything.

“But then she started saying she would be in places when she wasn’t and became very withdrawn.

“It came to a head one day when she had said she was with a friend and then we bumped into that friend in town without my daughter.”

Police warned Lovell, from Guildford, Surrey, to stay away from the girl and he signed an agreement to that effect.

But, her concerned parents installed WebWatcher software on her computer anyway.

Emails and messaging between the girl and Lovell were recorded and passed on to police who then arrested Lovell.

The dad added: “I did worry about doing it and, immediately after it came out, she did go mad at me.

“But after counselling, she realised we were doing it to keep her safe and now I have it on all my children’s computers.

“I would recommend it to any other parent without a shadow of a doubt.

“Our relationship is even stronger than ever, it has improved the trust between us.”

After the sentencing at Reading Crown Court on Friday, August 29, Det Con Paul Kerr, of the child abuse investigation unit, said: “Lovell maintained a not-guilty plea throughout the trial and tried to place the blame on the victim.

“He should have known better but chose to make his victim go through a trial, with the trauma that it caused, rather than admit to his crimes.

“He is now beginning a lengthy period of incarceration for his crimes against a vulnerable young girl.

“He made choices about his behaviour and must now face up to the repercussions.”
..News Source.. by Lorna Catling