COLIN JONES FROM ASKAM SLAPPED WITH SUSPENDED SENTENCE AFTER ONLINE CHILD PREDATOR PLOT IN PRESTON

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Askam community and beyond, Colin Jones, a 44-year-old man from Askam, faced serious legal repercussions after being caught attempting to engage in sexual activities with a minor through online platforms. The incident, which unfolded over several months, culminated in Jones being brought before Preston Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to child exploitation and online predatory behavior.

Jones was initially arrested at his residence on Steel Street, Askam, in June, after authorities and child protection agencies uncovered chat logs and digital evidence linking him to attempts to contact a 13-year-old girl for sexual purposes. The evidence was collected by the UK Database, a website dedicated to child abuse awareness, which collaborated with the Fleetwood Enforcers, a group known for monitoring and catching online predators. The group had sent the incriminating chat logs to law enforcement, leading to Jones's arrest.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Jones had refused to answer the door when police arrived at his home, refusing to provide any explanation for his actions. Prosecutor Suzie Cavanagh detailed the extent of Jones's online misconduct, stating that on March 7, he initiated contact with a girl he believed to be 13 years old, using an online dating platform. However, the girl was actually an adult woman named Chantii Rose, who was posing as a minor as part of an undercover operation by UK Database to trap online predators.

Further evidence showed that on April 23, Jones continued his communication via Facebook Messenger, where he sent six videos of himself and nineteen explicit images. The case gained significant public attention when Fleetwood Enforcers live streamed the confrontation on Facebook, which was viewed over 50,000 times within the first 24 hours. Due to the live broadcast, Jones was remanded in custody for his own safety, and the authorities took swift action to arrest him when the police arrived at his home.

During his police interview, Jones fully admitted to the allegations against him, acknowledging his inappropriate and illegal conduct. The prosecution expressed concerns that this was not an isolated incident, citing previous investigations into similar offences and warning that Jones's offending pattern might continue. As a result, the court decided to remand him in prison for three months pending sentencing.

At the sentencing hearing, Jones received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time immediately but would be under strict supervision. Additionally, he was ordered to participate in a 20-day rehabilitation program aimed at addressing his behavior. A ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed, banning him from engaging in any online activity that could facilitate contact with minors. Furthermore, Jones was required to register as a sex offender for ten years and pay a victim surcharge of £140. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and child protection agencies to combat online child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from predators.