Man denies encouraging girl, 14, to take own life

A man accused of encouraging a Dutch teenager to take her own life told police he thought they were "engaged in a role play or fantasy", a court heard.

Christopher Ballard, 43, is said to have sent messages to 14-year-old Gina van Houten before her death on 28 March 2018 outlining a "suicide pact" between them.

The messages included details relating to methods and equipment they would use to end both of their lives, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Mr Ballard, of Clayton Road, Bradford, denies a charge of encouraging or assisting her suicide.

The court heard that between February and March 2018 Mr Ballard had been in contact with Gina through an online forum.

James Bourne-Arton KC, prosecuting, said the messages they exchanged had included details about "what methods to use" and "how to get hold of equipment".

He added: "If it is not encouraging someone to commit suicide, then I don't know what is."

The court heard that when Mr Ballard was arrested in December 2020 he had initially told police he had not been in contact with Gina.

However, 18 months later he admitted sending the messages but told officers he thought they "were engaged in role play or fantasy and didn't intend to commit suicide and didn't intend to encourage her to commit suicide either".

Nick Johnson KC, for Mr Ballard, said the defendant had "acted shamefully and made the worst mistake of his life".

He told the jury his client's autistic spectrum disorder may explain why he did not suspect Gina was serious about taking her own life.

He also said that Gina "was deliberately unclear as to whether she was serious or not".

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In a statement read out in court, Mr Ballard's mother, Jaqueline, said he "hasn't got any close friends", while his father, Walter, added that "he stays on his computer for hours and when he gets annoyed he has to stop".

Both parents described their son as a good person who helped them with their doctors and hospital appointments and always offered to get things from the local shop.

The trial continues.

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