NEWTON AYCLIFFE MAN JAILED FOR ATTEMPTING TO MEET JUVENILE FOR SEX
Alan Fitzgerald, a 59-year-old man from Elmfield Place in Newton Aycliffe, has been sentenced to prison for attempting to meet a girl he believed to be 15 years old for paid sex.Fitzgerald responded to an online advert in the escort category, which featured a photograph of an 18-year-old woman.
During the encounter, Fitzgerald was told that 'Lacey' was available, a girl said to be nearly 16, and he was led to believe she was a minor.
Fitzgerald asked for sex without a condom and another sex act, after agreeing on a price and meeting location.
Prosecutor Ian West explained that Fitzgerald then traveled to meet what he thought was a minor girl; however, the police had set a trap, and Fitzgerald was arrested at the meeting spot.
It was confirmed that the advert was placed by Cleveland Police, and that 'Lacey' did not exist.
Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to attempting to arrange a child sex offence in July.
His lawyer argued that Fitzgerald believed he was engaging with a girl of legal age and had an interest in young women.
The court was informed that no explicit child pornography or meetings with children were found on Fitzgerald's laptop, but he had contact with adult escort agencies.
The judge noted that Fitzgerald's prior behaviour was seeking encounters with adult women, and he was aware that the girl was under 16.
Fitzgerald was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
He is also required to comply with police notifications for life and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order that prohibits contact with children outside of his family.
The court expressed concern that he presented a risk of harm, stating that Fitzgerald's family life has been affected by his actions.
