JOHN SMITH FROM SPEKE SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND ABUSE IN LIVERPOOL

In April 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving John Smith, a man from Speke, who used social media platforms to groom and sexually abuse a young boy. Smith, who was previously known as a junior football coach, has a troubling history of online misconduct. In 2019, he was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison for sending explicit images of himself to underage boys via Snapchat. Despite this prior conviction, Smith continued to engage in inappropriate online behavior, which ultimately led to his recent appearance at Liverpool Crown Court.

During the latest proceedings, Smith faced charges related to his repeated attempts to manipulate and sexually exploit a young male child. The case revealed that Smith initially made contact with the boy through a different messaging app before suggesting they switch to Snapchat, a platform known for its disappearing messages. Once on Snapchat, the two exchanged phone numbers and began FaceTiming regularly. Smith believed the boy was around 17 or 18 years old, but when the child clarified that he was a young teenager, Smith’s intentions became clear as he began to groom him.

Prosecutor Peter Killen detailed the progression of their interactions. He explained that the conversations started off innocuously, with the two exchanging personal information. However, Smith soon began to ask the boy to meet up for a kiss. The first meeting took place near Smith’s workplace, with the boy’s sister present. During this encounter, Smith, noticing the sister had walked ahead, asked the boy if they should kiss now that his sister was gone. The boy, feeling embarrassed, did not respond, but they shared a kiss nonetheless. Afterward, Smith sent a message thanking the boy for the kiss.

The grooming escalated during subsequent meetings. On another occasion, they kissed again, and Smith touched the boy’s genital area. During this encounter, Smith told the boy, “kiss me if you want me to stop,” indicating a coercive element to the interaction. The sexual abuse was interrupted only when the boy’s sister called him, forcing him to leave. Smith also asked the boy to send explicit pictures of himself and even sent a video of himself performing a sexual act.

Further revelations showed that Smith was also contacting the boy’s friend, under the false impression that they were in a romantic relationship. When the boy’s family discovered the abuse, the boy informed Smith that they knew about his actions. In response, Smith blocked the boy on social media platforms. The boy’s mother, in a victim personal statement, expressed her distress, revealing that her son’s mental health had deteriorated. She said her son “hadn’t been sleeping properly,” was in “overall bad health,” and was “very much not himself.” She added, “I feel like I don’t know my own son at all anymore. This is very upsetting.” The mother also expressed her fears about their safety and her desire to leave the area.

Smith’s criminal history includes a conviction in March 2019 for sexual communication with three boys, which resulted in an 18-month prison sentence and the imposition of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. However, he breached this order by committing the new offences. Smith, who was residing on School Way in Speke at the time, admitted to four counts of sexual activity with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, engaging in sexual communication with a child, and breaching the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Judge Recorder Ian Unsworth, QC, condemned Smith’s actions, stating, “You subjected another victim, another young boy, to your unwanted and predatory instincts.” He emphasized that the victim had nothing to blame himself for, nor did his mother. The judge highlighted that Smith had deliberately targeted the boy for his own sexual gratification, exploiting his vulnerability. He further warned that Smith posed a “significant risk of causing serious harm” and lacked insight into the damage caused by his actions.

In sentencing, Recorder Unsworth described Smith as a “dangerous” offender and sentenced him to four years and six months in prison, with an extended three-year period on licence. This sentence ensures that Smith will serve at least two-thirds of his custodial time behind bars. He will only be eligible for release before completing the full term if a parole board determines he is no longer a threat to the public.