JONATHON SMITH FROM BLACK COUNTRY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST TEENAGER

In May 2019, a man named Jonathon Smith from the Black Country was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a teenage girl. The case drew significant attention due to the circumstances surrounding the offenses and Smith's criminal history.

According to court proceedings, Smith initiated contact with the underage girl through social media messages shortly after his release from prison. The court heard that he first asked her for sex the day after he was freed, demonstrating a troubling pattern of behavior. Despite the girl’s initial refusal, Smith continued to pursue her, showing persistent and manipulative conduct that ultimately pressured her into compliance.

On January 18, the girl, who was under 16 at the time, finally relented and engaged in sexual activity with Smith at an address in the Black Country. This was not an isolated incident, as the pair had consensual sex on two more occasions between that date and January 22. However, the situation took a darker turn when the girl’s mother discovered a message from Smith on her daughter’s phone, which read: “I’ll finish that later.”

Concerned, the mother questioned her daughter about the message, and the girl disclosed what had transpired. The mother then contacted the police, leading to Smith’s arrest. During the investigation, authorities uncovered evidence of grooming and planning, highlighting the premeditated nature of Smith’s actions. The court noted the significant age difference between Smith and the girl, emphasizing the seriousness of the case.

Smith, 26 years old and of no fixed address, had an extensive criminal record prior to these offenses. He had accumulated 21 previous convictions across 34 separate incidents, none of which involved sexual offenses. His past convictions included a five-year sentence for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and a subsequent three-year sentence for property destruction.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court, Smith pleaded guilty to three charges of sexual activity with a child. Judge Mr. Simon Ward sentenced him to six years in prison, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses. The judge stated, “This is the first time you have been convicted of any kind of sex offence, but they were extremely serious offences. She told you that she did not want to do this, but you were persistent. She felt under pressure and finally gave in.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Smith was ordered to register as a sex offender and was placed under an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect potential future victims. The case underscores the dangers of grooming and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding minors from exploitation.