Man Accused of Encouraging Teen Suicide Claims “Role Play”

A court was informed that a man, facing charges of encouraging a Dutch teenager to commit suicide, informed law enforcement that he believed their interactions constituted “role play or fantasy”. Christopher Ballard, aged 43, reportedly exchanged messages with Gina van Houten, 14, prior to her death on March 28, 2018. These communications allegedly detailed a “suicide pact” between them. Bradford Crown Court heard that the content of these messages specified methods and equipment intended for use in ending both their lives. Mr. Ballard, residing on Clayton Road in Bradford, has entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of encouraging or assisting her suicide. It was revealed in court that Mr. Ballard had communicated with Gina via an online forum during the period of February to March 2018. Prosecutor James Bourne-Arton KC stated that the messages exchanged between them contained specific information regarding “what methods to use” and “how to get hold of equipment.” He further commented, “If it is not encouraging someone to commit suicide, then I don’t know what is.” The court was informed that upon his arrest in December 2020, Mr. Ballard initially denied having any contact with Gina to the police. Nevertheless, 18 months subsequent to this, he acknowledged sending the messages, explaining to officers that he believed 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, representing Mr. Ballard, asserted that his client had “acted shamefully and made the worst mistake of his life.” He informed the jury that his client’s autistic spectrum disorder might account for his failure to perceive Gina’s seriousness regarding ending her life. He also contended that Gina “was deliberately unclear as to whether she was serious or not.” During a statement presented in court, Mr. Ballard’s mother, Jaqueline, remarked that he “hasn’t got any close friends,” and his father, Walter, further noted that “he stays on his computer for hours and when he gets annoyed he has to stop.” Both parents characterized their son as a kind individual who assisted them with medical and hospital appointments and consistently volunteered to retrieve items from the local store. The judicial proceedings are ongoing.