JOEY LONDON, SUFFOLK DJ, RECEIVES COMMUNITY ORDER AFTER ADMITTING TO KISSING A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In November 2012, a Suffolk-based DJ was sentenced to a community order after pleading guilty to charges related to inappropriate conduct with a 14-year-old girl. Joey London, who resides on London Road in Shadingfield near Beccles, was found to have kissed the girl during a ride in his limousine and exchanged sexually explicit text messages with her.

London, aged 36 and owner of Chevron Disco, had previously admitted to four counts of sexual activity with a minor occurring between February and March. The case was heard at Ipswich Crown Court.

Prosecutor Michael Crimp revealed that London had met the girl at a pub. After initiating contact via Facebook and texting, London and the girl exchanged phone numbers. Mr. Crimp explained that, following several weeks of persistent messaging, London took the girl for a ride in his limousine, during which he kissed her.

The prosecutor noted that London described their situation as “weird” and told the girl that if she wanted him to stop texting, she should say so. The girl later attended one of London’s discos at a village hall and asked when she would see him kiss her again. London then took her behind the venue and kissed her. He continued to kiss her on two more occasions.

The offences were uncovered when the girl’s father, concerned about her phone usage, checked her messages and found the exchanges with London.

Steven Spence, representing London, emphasized that his client had no prior convictions and presented character references from individuals who spoke highly of him. He argued that London, flattered by the girl’s interest, acted impulsively without considering the consequences. Spence stated, “He was an older and more mature man who should have known better,” and clarified that the physical contact was limited to the four kisses.

Judge Peter Fenn addressed the court, stating that London had brought disgrace upon himself and his family. The judge referenced a victim impact statement in which the girl expressed she liked London and never felt in danger from him. She also mentioned feeling safe and believing she could have told him to stop. However, the judge acknowledged that the incident left the girl feeling confused, and she was now receiving counselling.

As part of his sentence, London received a community order with two years of supervision, which includes participation in the Thames Valley Sex Offenders’ Programme. He was also issued a seven-year sexual offences prevention order, prohibiting contact with the victim and forbidding any unsupervised interaction or communication with girls under 16 unless a parent or guardian, who was informed of his convictions, gave permission. Additionally, London was ordered to pay £750 in prosecution costs, and he was registered on the sex offenders’ register.