HARTLEPOOL MAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD GROOMING AND SEXUAL COMMUNICATION
A man named John Gibson from Hartlepool has been convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.According to the court, Gibson, who is 53 years old, began chatting with what he believed was a schoolgirl on Facebook on July 15.
During the conversations, he was told the girl was under 16, but he continued speaking and exchanged photographs with her.
Prosecutor Cole Cockburn revealed that Gibson asked the 'girl' for indecent images and inquired if they could 'make love'.
He repeatedly expressed love for her and requested photos of her in various states of undress, including in her school uniform and underwear.
When she refused, he taunted her, claiming she was playing games.
The court also heard that Gibson had arranged to meet the girl at King’s Cross in London on July 31 and asked if they could make love, assuring her he would be gentle.
It was later discovered that Gibson had been talking to an undercover police officer posing as a child.
Following his arrest, Gibson pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
He was sentenced to 36 months in prison and warned against reoffending, with a recommendation to take available help for his issues.
It was noted that Gibson lived alone, on a mattress in his bedroom, and that he had no prior convictions but had started offending since 2021, after a traumatic incident and a period of alcohol dependence.
He is currently on remand at HMP Durham, engaging with drug and alcohol recovery and education programs.
