NORTH EAST PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED AFTER ARRANGING TO MEET 14-YEAR-OLD BOY FOR SEX
A paedophile from Sunderland has been sentenced after arranging to meet a 14-year-old boy for sex.James Graham, 24, was actually speaking to a police officer online, and he has been given a suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court today.
The officer, from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), was working as a decoy as part of a wider investigation.
Graham sent countless sexually explicit messages, and even offered drugs to the person he believed to be the teenaged child.
The communication began in October 2024, and officers launched the operation to target Graham, and bring him into custody.
It was on January 15 last year that officers arrested Graham, charging him with the arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him due to his actions, and appeared before the court on Thursday to be given 10 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, 10 years on the sex offender register and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
After the sentencing, NEROCU Detective Constable Lee Robertson, said: "Cases like this show why our work in this area is so vital and we will continue to do all we can to help protect children from predators like Graham." "I’d like to thank all the officers and staff involved for helping to bring Graham before the courts and as always, I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim, or wants to talk to an officer and raise some concerns, to get in touch immediately." If you have concerns about child abuse or want to report a crime, contact your local police force online or by calling 101, and always dial 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
