'Grooming' in the context of sentencing for sexual offences against children is not a term of art but connotes steps taken by the offender to persuade, prepare, or encourage the object of sexual attention to participate in sexual activity. A sentencing judge may make such a finding where the undisputed facts disclose a progression of sexual activity over time, even where the victim participated in sexually explicit communications and there was no coercive element. Natural justice on a plea hearing requires only that the judge raise potentially adverse matters so counsel can address them; it does not require the judge to identify findings in advance.
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