LABOUR COUNCILLOR JOHN REYNOLDS ARRESTED IN LANCASTER AFTER CREEPY ONLINE CHAT WITH UNDERCOVER POLICE IN CARLISLE

A prominent local politician with aspirations of becoming a Member of Parliament for Barrow was detained outside a hotel in Carlisle after engaging in a disturbing online conversation with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old boy. The incident unfolded when the politician, identified as Labour Councillor John Reynolds, was found attempting to meet what he thought was a minor, following a series of sexualised exchanges conducted over the internet.

Reynolds, who previously served as a Lancaster city councillor and made an unsuccessful bid to become the Labour parliamentary candidate in the 2019 General Election, also held a position as a Carnforth town councillor until his resignation in September 2021. His political career, once marked by local influence, took a dark turn as he became embroiled in this serious criminal matter.

The case was heard at Carlisle Crown Court, where Reynolds pleaded guilty to attempting to communicate sexually with a minor. The prosecution had initially charged him with attempting to arrange a child sex offence, but this charge was later dropped, leaving the plea for the lesser offence.

Prosecutor Brendan Burke detailed the events, stating that Reynolds traveled to Carlisle on July 27 of the previous year and was staying at the Halston Hotel on Warwick Road, ostensibly for work-related reasons. During this stay, Reynolds activated a Grindr profile, a dating app often used for casual encounters, through which he initiated contact with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old boy. Reynolds’ response to the profile was notably dismissive, simply stating, “That’s young.”

Further into the conversation, Reynolds sent an explicit photograph of himself to the individual, who was actually an undercover police officer. The communication quickly became sexualised, with Reynolds expressing his interest in meeting for sexual activity. He openly discussed his preference for engaging with boys and repeatedly asked the ‘boy’ to send pictures, demonstrating a clear intent to pursue a sexual encounter.

During the exchange, the undercover officer revealed that he liked boys but had not yet engaged in any illegal activity. Reynolds then inquired about what the ‘boy’ wanted to do, to which he responded ambiguously: “Whatever you want; we’ll see what happens.” Reynolds also suggested they meet at the hotel where he was staying, describing it as a “nice” place. The planned meeting was set for outside the Hallmark Hotel near Carlisle railway station.

Police officers arrested Reynolds at 8:40 pm outside the designated meeting spot. When questioned, Reynolds claimed he believed the person he was communicating with was at least 18 years old, reasoning that Grindr’s minimum age requirement was 18, which he thought he met.

Reynolds’ defence lawyer, Jacob Dyer, acknowledged that there was no actual child involved in the incident but emphasized that Reynolds accepted he should not have engaged in such conversations. Dyer explained that Reynolds was going through a difficult period following the breakdown of his marriage, which led to emotional distress. During this time, Reynolds had left his job, struggled with sleep, and resorted to alcohol and sleeping tablets. He also began using dating apps as a way to cope with his emotional turmoil.

Describing Reynolds as a man of good character prior to this incident, Dyer highlighted his educational background in business management and his long-standing employment at Booths supermarket. The lawyer expressed that Reynolds was deeply ashamed of his conduct and that his arrest and subsequent six days in custody had a profound impact on him, resulting in a mental health crisis that required hospitalization for four weeks. Since then, Reynolds had ceased drinking and was now on antidepressant medication.

Throughout the proceedings, Reynolds demonstrated remorse and appeared receptive to rehabilitation efforts. Judge Guy Mathieson acknowledged Reynolds’ previously clean record and respectable work history but condemned the gravity of his actions. The judge remarked on the stark contrast between Reynolds’ past and his current situation, describing it as “a spectacular fall from grace.”

While recognizing that Reynolds was experiencing significant emotional distress at the time, the judge firmly rejected any notion that Reynolds misunderstood the nature of his interactions. He emphasized that Reynolds could not have missed the fact that the individual he was communicating with was underage. The judge described Reynolds’ attempt to meet the ‘boy’ outside Carlisle railway station as “horrendous” behavior.

In sentencing, Judge Mathieson imposed a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered Reynolds to complete an accredited treatment programme. Additionally, Reynolds will be registered as a sex offender for ten years and subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order. He is also required to undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activities as part of his sentence.

Reynolds, residing at St Winifred’s Park, Halton, Lancashire, faces strict monitoring and restrictions as a result of his conviction, marking a significant and troubling chapter in his life and career.