HORDEN GRANDAD JOHN FARROW ESCAPES JAIL AFTER PREDATORY PLOTS WITH CHILD IN NORTH EAST

In August 2020, a disturbing case emerged involving John Farrow, a 61-year-old grandfather from Conyers Crescent in Horden, who engaged in a sinister attempt to exploit what he believed was a 14-year-old girl. The incident came to light after Farrow made contact with paedophile hunters, who were operating under the guise of a young girl on June 7 of that year.

Over the course of the following six days, Farrow persistently communicated with the decoy, who was part of the Children’s Innocence Matters group. During these exchanges, he not only encouraged sexual activity but also discussed the possibility of having a child with her, explicitly mentioning his intent to sexually abuse the child once she was born. His conversations included instructions for her to avoid getting caught, reassuring her that she would be safe as long as she kept their interactions secret.

Further details revealed that Farrow inquired about the decoy’s brother and made inappropriate references to his own genitalia, indicating a disturbing level of predatory intent. The evidence collected from these exchanges prompted action from vigilante groups, and on June 13, a member of another group visited Farrow’s residence to gather further evidence. The police were called, and officers promptly arrested him, seizing his mobile phone for forensic analysis.

At Durham Crown Court, Farrow pleaded guilty to two charges: attempting to incite a child into sexual activity and engaging in sexual communication with a child. During the court proceedings, Judge Ray Singh addressed the court, stating, “You became involved in text messages with a young person who within a very short period of time you thought was 14 years of age. I accept that from the outset you may have been under the impression that she was over the age.”

The judge highlighted the depraved nature of Farrow’s conversations, noting, “You talked in depraved terms about having a child with her, a daughter, and sexually abusing and inciting sexual abuse with that daughter.” Although Farrow claimed that his messages were not for his own sexual gratification, the court found this assertion to be false.

Recognizing his age, health issues, and time already spent in custody, Judge Singh decided against an immediate custodial sentence. Instead, Farrow was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, for the first count. No separate penalty was imposed for the second count. Additionally, he was ordered to participate in a 30-day rehabilitation and treatment programme aimed at addressing his behaviour.

To further protect the community, Farrow was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which prohibits him from having any contact with children under the age of 16. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and community groups to combat online predatory behaviour and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation.