MAN OFFERED '14-YEAR-OLD BOY' £100 FOR SEX
A man in his late 30s from North Cumbria attempted to meet a 14-year-old boy with the intent to pay him £100 for sexual activity, the court was told.Christopher Tennant, aged 38, had engaged in two days of online sexual communication with what he believed was the minor, unaware he was being targeted in a police sting operation aimed at catching online predators.
During the crown court proceedings, Tennant, who lives on Gosling Drive, Carlisle, admitted to charges including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual acts, attempting to communicate sexually with a minor, and trying to persuade a child to watch sexual content.
Prosecutor Kim Whittlestone detailed the case, which occurred in the city between October 17 and October 19 this year.
Tennant made contact through social media and believed he was speaking to a 14-year-old boy who was consistent in his identification of his age.
The conversations, some of which happened via the Grindr app, involved references to the boy’s school uniform.
The repeated assertion was that the user was 14, a belief Tennant held until he arrived at a supermarket car park for the meeting.
Certain details of the exchanges were too graphic to reproduce here.
Tennant also shared videos showing sexual acts between men, claimed he was 21 years old, and asked for pictures of the boy.
He inquired, “What would you do for cash?” and discussed various meeting locations, including a car park at Asda.
The boy suggested meeting at McDonald’s, while Tennant talked about going to the countryside.
He also repeatedly offered payment, saying he could “pay you to try stuff.” When he reached the meeting spot and was arrested, Tennant expressed regret, stating, “I’m just so sorry.
I know it was wrong.
My head’s been messed up for years.” Prosecutors highlighted evidence of planning, the significant age difference, and grooming behaviors, noting Tennant brought £100 and had targeted the young person.
Defence barrister Marion Weir described Tennant as generally of good character who had experienced personal hardships.
“He was trying to deal with it in an unhealthy way,” she explained.
She also noted that since his arrest, Tennant had collaborated with the Lucy Faithful Foundation to address his issues, recognising it would be a lengthy process.
“He genuinely expresses remorse,” she said.
No incriminating content was found on his phone, she added.
Judge Michael Fanning stated that Tennant’s actions demonstrated repeated grooming behaviour, including offering money for sex, emphasizing the severity of such offenses and their impact on victims.
