JONATHAN PORTER CONVICTED IN PERTH FOR ONLINE SEXUAL PLOT AND CHILD IMAGE OFFENSES

Jonathan Porter, a 49-year-old accountant based in Perth, has been found guilty of serious criminal charges related to online sexual misconduct and the possession of indecent images of children. The conviction stems from a detailed investigation by police authorities, which uncovered disturbing evidence of Porter’s involvement in a conspiracy to sexually assault a child, as well as the creation and distribution of illicit images.

During the course of the police inquiry, officers discovered graphic and indecent photographs depicting a child under the age of 10. These images included one where a young girl was posed topless, with the words "KISS ME" written in green ink on her bare buttocks, and another featuring a drawing on her naked body. Porter had created these images, which he then possessed and shared with at least one other individual. The court heard that he had sexually touched the child in the process of creating some of these images, further emphasizing the disturbing nature of his actions.

In addition to the photographic evidence, Porter engaged in online chats that revealed his disturbing intentions. The High Court in Edinburgh, presided over by Lady Wise, heard that Porter believed he was communicating with a nanny responsible for an 11-year-old girl. In reality, he was speaking with an undercover operative, known as ‘K’, who was investigating his activities. Over several days in October 2019, Porter expressed a desire to meet a girl for sexual acts, and K responded by offering to bring the girl to a hotel in the Newcastle area for such acts to take place. Porter described in graphic detail the sexual acts he intended to commit, and the plan was to carry out these acts before Christmas of that year.

Despite his claims that he engaged in these online conversations merely for entertainment and had no genuine sexual interest in children, the evidence presented in court painted a different picture. The police investigation revealed that Porter had explicitly discussed and planned the assault, which he believed would involve a real child. However, the police intervened before any physical meeting occurred, and K reported the matter to authorities, leading to Porter’s arrest and subsequent trial.

During the sentencing hearing, Lady Wise condemned Porter’s actions, emphasizing the severity of his conspiracy to commit sexual assault against a child. She noted that Porter had been convicted on five charges, including conspiracy to rape and sexually assault a child under 13, as well as multiple counts related to the possession, creation, and distribution of indecent images. The court acknowledged that Porter was a first-time offender and had contributed to society as an accountant, but the gravity of his offenses warranted a substantial custodial sentence.

Lady Wise detailed the disturbing nature of the indecent images, which included photographs of a young girl posing topless, with some images bearing written words and drawings. She highlighted that although the images were shared with only one person, their content demonstrated a profoundly unhealthy and indecent interest in children.

Regarding the conspiracy to commit sexual assault, Lady Wise explained that Porter believed he was communicating with a child and an adult posing as a nanny, with the intent to meet and carry out sexual acts. The court found that Porter’s online chats in October 2019 revealed graphic descriptions of the acts he wished to perform. Although no actual child was harmed, the court considered the conspiracy to be of the highest concern due to its potential danger.

In her sentencing remarks, Lady Wise stated that Porter’s actions warranted a custodial sentence. She imposed a total of four years and nine months in prison, with the sentence for the indecent images and sexual behavior to run concurrently, and the conspiracy charge to be served consecutively. Additionally, Porter was ordered to remain on the sex offenders register for life, and his name was added to the list of individuals deemed unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable persons.

Porter’s sentence was backdated to the date of his remand in custody following his arrest. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are treated, especially when they involve the exploitation and endangerment of children, even if the child in question was fictitious in this case.