JAMES COLQUITT FROM CLEOBURY MORTIMER FACES JAIL FOR GROOMING AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN WORCESTER AND MERSEYSIDE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Worcester and Merseyside, James Colquitt, a 23-year-old man now residing on Childe Road in Cleobury Mortimer near Kidderminster, has been convicted of serious sexual offenses involving a minor. The case, which unfolded at Worcester Crown Court, revealed a pattern of grooming and possession of indecent images of children, highlighting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing threat he posed to vulnerable youths.

Colquitt’s criminal activities came to light after a lengthy investigation that uncovered his online interactions with a 13-year-old boy from Merseyside. The contact between the two began in June 2016, when Colquitt, then 20 years old, initiated conversations through online gaming platforms. Over the course of two to three months, the communication escalated from casual gaming chat to more sinister exchanges, with Colquitt attempting to groom the young boy for sexual activity.

Prosecutor Paul Whitfield detailed that the conversations included discussions about 'zombies and Xbox,' which initially appeared innocent but gradually took a darker turn. The defendant eventually asked the boy to perform a sex act on himself, a request that was reported by the boy’s parents when they became suspicious of the nature of the messages in September 2016. The parents confronted their son, who initially claimed the messages were merely social and related to their shared interest in gaming. However, he later disclosed that the messages had developed into something more concerning, prompting them to contact the police.

Colquitt was arrested at his home in Worcester on December 9, 2016. During police interviews, he was candid about his actions. Further investigations revealed that he was in possession of 21 category A indecent images of children, which are classified as the most serious level, depicting penetrative sexual acts involving minors. In addition, he possessed 15 category B images and 531 category C images, which include less severe forms of indecency.

The police executed a search warrant at his residence, uncovering a mobile phone containing numerous indecent images and a carrier bag filled with children’s underwear. An internet history on his device also revealed searches for “young boys in white briefs,” indicating a disturbing preoccupation with young children. These findings underscored the gravity of his offending behavior.

Colquitt had previously been convicted in May 2015 for possessing indecent images of children. At that time, he was subjected to a three-year community order, which he subsequently breached through his recent offenses. The judge, Robert Juckes QC, described the images as “the worst kind,” with some children as young as four years old and the oldest around ten. He emphasized that Colquitt’s offending was not impulsive but deliberate, involving grooming over an extended period.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Juckes sentenced Colquitt to 12 months in prison for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He also imposed concurrent sentences of 12 months, nine months, and six months for the possession of indecent images. Additionally, a sexual harm prevention order was issued for ten years, and Colquitt was ordered to register as a sex offender for the same duration.

In a related case from April 2018, Colquitt faced further charges for inciting a minor to engage in sexual activity. He admitted to this offense at Worcester Crown Court, along with three counts of making indecent images of children. The court adjourned sentencing to allow for a comprehensive pre-sentence report, considering the aggravating factors such as the significant age disparity and the escalation from previous convictions. Prosecutor Whitfield highlighted the high culpability associated with the offense, noting the progression from prior offenses and the element of grooming involved.

Colquitt’s history of offending dates back to a 2011 police raid at his then residence in Sycamore Road, Worcester, when he was just 16 years old. During that operation, authorities discovered six indecent images of boys under 16, along with a carrier bag containing children’s underwear and an internet search history for “young boys in white briefs” and adult gay pornography. At that time, he was ordered to attend a sex offender program, and a sexual harm prevention order was issued, along with a five-year registration requirement.

Judge Jim Tindal remarked that Colquitt’s repeated offenses indicated a serious risk to the community and suggested that prison was an inevitable outcome. The case remains ongoing, with authorities emphasizing the importance of monitoring and preventing further harm from this convicted sex offender, who now faces a lengthy period of supervision and registration requirements.