A former paratrooper from South Tyneside has avoided jail after being caught in an undercover police sting targeting online child abuse.
John Stephenson, 68, of Byron Avenue, Hebburn, believed he was talking to four underage girls on the messaging app Kik.
Despite being told they were aged 12 and 13, he sent explicit messages, including sexual comments and requests for school uniform pictures.
One message included an indecent image.
He called himself "daddy" to the girls.
The profiles were in fact run by undercover Northumbria Police officers.
When Stephenson was arrested in February 2023, officers found child abuse images and videos on his phone, including material in the most serious Category A.
He admitted four charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and two charges of making indecent images.
Newcastle Crown Court heard he had served in the parachute regiment, had no previous convictions, and had shown remorse.
He was sentenced to 13 months and two weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, with programme and rehabilitation requirements.
Stephenson must sign the sex offenders register and abide by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years.
If you live in Byron Avenue, Hebburn, you might want to make sure the whole street knows about this reptile.
JOHN STEPHENSON
Sentenced
By
Red Rose UK
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Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Detected legal outcome
astle Crown Court heard he had served in the parachute regiment, had no previous convictions, and had shown remorse. He was sentenced to 13 months and two weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, with programme and rehabilitation req...
Prison sentence
13 months and two weeksHe was sentenced to 13 months and two weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, with programme and rehabilitation requirements
Suspended sentence
two yearsHe was sentenced to 13 months and two weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, with programme and rehabilitation requirements
Sex Offenders Register
ten yearsStephenson must sign the sex offenders register and abide by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years
Court order
ten yearsStephenson must sign the sex offenders register and abide by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years
Location Information
Hebburn
Hebburn, South Tyneside, North East, England, Town, South Tyneside, North East, NE31
Coordinates: 54.9726, -1.5172
Additional Information
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