JAMES HUGHES

SOUTH TYNESIDE RAF CADETS LEADER JAILED FOR ILLEGAL SEXUAL CHATS WITH UNDERAGE BOY

A former RAF cadets leader and NHS worker named James Hughes has been sentenced to imprisonment for engaging in inappropriate and illegal sexual communication with a schoolboy.

Hughes, aged 45 and residing in Hebburn, South Tyneside, admitted to having sexual chats with a teenage boy he invited to his home.

The offences were uncovered when the boy’s parents checked his devices after he boasted online about making money.

They discovered Hughes had been communicating with their son, with some messages being innocent chit-chat, but others involving illegal sexual content.

Hughes discussed having cigars and beer for the boy, talked about kissing and having sex with a girl, encouraged the boy to have sex, and referenced watching pornography and the boy's private parts.

Hughes also made references to the boy visiting him at his home and sent persistent, sexualized messages.

Legal proceedings revealed that Hughes had served in the RAF and worked for the NHS.

The court heard the details of his conduct and the troubling nature of his grooming behaviour, with the judge stating that Hughes sought to provide incentives like alcohol and cigars to continue the contact, which indicated sexual interest.

Hughes was sentenced to 18 months in prison, required to sign the sex offenders register, and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

Hughes's defence argued that he had not spent time alone with the boy, acknowledged the conversation was inappropriate but claimed it did not go beyond that, and cited previous trauma including a period in a coma that affected his judgment.