A man has been sentenced to 38 years for stabbing a teenage girl he stalked online
Middlesbrough: A 24-year-old man named Ellis Dismore has been sentenced to 38 years in prison for a shocking attack on a teenage girl. He had been stalking her online, pretending to be a teenage boy. This all led to a terrifying moment when he stabbed her five times in the back.
The whole incident was caught on CCTV, showing the girl screaming for help. Luckily, a passing motorist came to her rescue just in time. Dismore was found guilty of 26 different crimes, including attempted murder and trying to get other girls involved in sexual activities online.
Because he was deemed dangerous, he’ll serve an extra five years on extended license. The girl, who had never met him in person but recognized his voice, praised the woman who saved her life.
Dismore had posed as a boy named James Wilson when he first met the girl online in 2022. In court, she shared how his actions changed her from a “normal, happy” teen into someone scared to leave her home. She felt forced to do what he said because she feared for her safety and that of her loved ones.
He even coerced her into sending explicit images. After she confided in a friend who told her to block him, he retaliated by sharing those photos. Terrified of what might happen, she finally told her mom, which led to police involvement, according to reports.
Dismore sent her threatening voice messages, chillingly stating he would gladly go to jail for stabbing her. In some Snapchats, he made horrific threats about ruining her life. On June 22, 2023, he was seen buying steak knives from a supermarket just before he attacked her.
The court found that while pretending to be a young boy, Dismore tricked other girls into sending him explicit images. The judge called him “dangerous” and “insidious,” emphasizing how he manipulated these girls.
He noted that no one could tell how many girls Dismore had contacted while looking for victims, but it was clear he had put a lot of time into his criminal activities. The judge remarked that the girl who was stabbed was lucky to be alive.
Outside the court, Det Sgt Andrew Hamilton praised the bravery of the girls who came forward. He explained that over seven years, Dismore used fake social media accounts to groom young girls, making vile threats and sending disturbing voice notes. His behavior escalated to the point where he attacked a 15-year-old girl in the street, leaving her with serious injuries. If not for the brave passerby, she might not have survived.
A sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order were also put in place to keep Dismore away from his nine victims.
