Kane Dane
Incident
A dance teacher who reached Britain’s Got Talent final in 2016 has been jailed for two years and nine months after repeatedly physically abusing a child.
Christopher Gittins, 23, used the boy and repeatedly abused his victim for his own pleasure.
He declared guilty to six counts relating to him engaging in coital activity with the boy, who was aged between 13 and 15, ahead of being jailed yesterday.
Britain’s Got Talent Fame
Gittins was a part of Britain’s Got Talent dance act BoogieStorm, the breakdancing Stormtroopers who reached the ITV final four years ago.
His crimes are in the most serious category under the sentencing guidelines, exacerbated by the notable difference in age between him and the victim. Now the victim is 15-years-old.
Judge Verdict
Judge Niclas Parry, while sentencing, told him: ‘This has been an exploitation of trust. You took advantage of a 13-year-old. What you did was to prepare him and cause him to believe he has somthing special. You would call him and buy him gifts.
‘You clearly knew that what you were doing was unlawful.’
Locations
The court heard how the incidents had taken place at locations including Powis Castle grounds near Welshpool, and a public washroom in the town.
The incident occurred over two months in 2018.
How Did It Reveal?
The incident revealed after when the teen’s mother borrowed his phone and read the Facebook messages from Gittins.
Arrest
Gittins was convicted on January 9, 2019, the day after his mother reported her suspicions to Newtown Police Station.
Gittins, of Welshpool, was convicted for two years and nine months on each count to be served simultaneously. He must serve half before being released on license.
BoogieStorm entered the final of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2016.
They earned Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer which carried them through automatically to the finals where they came third behind series winner magician Richard Jones.
