JORDAN SHIPMAN: THORNABY PAEDOPHILE SENT NAKED PICTURES ON GRINDR AND BREACHED SEXUAL HARM ORDERS
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Thornaby, Jordan Lee Shipman, aged 26, has been found guilty of engaging in highly inappropriate and illegal online behavior involving a supposed minor.The incident unfolded when Shipman believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old boy via the popular dating app Grindr, but in reality, he was conversing with an adult man who was aware of Shipman’s criminal history.
On October 31 of the previous year, Shipman attempted to arrange a face-to-face meeting with what he thought was a teenage boy.
The man, recognizing Shipman from previous convictions related to sex offences, had taken proactive steps by creating a fake profile under the alias ‘Andy’ to lure Shipman into a trap.
Within moments of initiating contact, Shipman engaged in a conversation with the decoy, revealing his intentions and inappropriate desires.
Shipman, who resides on Mansfield Avenue in Thornaby, appeared at Teesside Crown Court via video link from HMP Durham to face charges related to his online misconduct.
The court heard that he was charged with arranging to facilitate a child sex offence, attempting to communicate with a minor, and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Prosecutor Dr.
Chris Wood explained that the man operating the fake profile alerted police about the messages Shipman was sending, aware of his criminal background.
During the chat, the decoy, under the alias ‘Andy,’ inquired whether Shipman had previously met anyone his age, to which Shipman responded, “Everyone needs to start somewhere.” The conversation quickly escalated into explicit sexual content, with Shipman requesting photographs of the decoy and calling him a “naughty boy.” Using the username ‘Hi Guys,’ Shipman then asked if the boy could travel to his home, even providing his address, and subsequently sent explicit images of his genitals.
He explicitly stated his desire for the boy to visit his residence for sexual activity.
As the conversation progressed, Shipman continued to send messages, but the decoy, recognizing the danger, blocked him on Grindr and promptly notified the authorities, providing screenshots of the exchanges.
Due to the block, the chat was automatically deleted, which constituted a breach of his SHPO.
Police responded swiftly, arresting Shipman at his home.
During the arrest, he admitted to the officers that he knew he shouldn’t have continued the conversation but confessed that he was unable to resist the temptation.
He also revealed that he found teenage boys as young as 13 attractive, highlighting the severity of his predatory tendencies.
Shipman’s criminal history is extensive.
He previously received an 18-month prison sentence in June 2016 for making and distributing indecent images of children.
Additionally, he was subjected to a 10-year SHPO.
However, after his release, he breached the order in June of the previous year, which led to a 12-month suspended prison sentence.
At the time of the October offences, he was still in breach of this order.
Judge Stephen Ashurst described the case as “troubling” and explicitly labeled Shipman a “danger to children.” The judge emphasized that Shipman’s attractions were primarily towards children and young teenagers, and he expressed concern over his inability to control his sexual impulses.
As a result, Shipman was sentenced to an extended prison term, requiring him to serve four years before being eligible for release, followed by a further four years on licence.
In a related incident from June 2020, Shipman was found to have deleted a photo of semi-naked young footballers to avoid temptation, narrowly avoiding re-imprisonment.
During a routine check, police discovered that he had failed to register a bank card, which was part of his legal obligations as a registered sex offender.
Further investigation revealed that he had also deleted emails containing inappropriate images and a social media app used for online communication.
Prosecutor Tom Mitchell explained that police found evidence of deleted emails, including one depicting a young football team in a state of undress.
Shipman admitted to using the internet to view live pornography through paid systems.
He pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his online activity, and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
Judge Howard Crowson highlighted that Shipman’s deletion of incriminating evidence suggested an attempt to conceal ongoing attractions to young boys.
Shipman’s criminal record dates back to 2016 when he was convicted of sharing indecent images of children with other paedophiles to feel “important.” His lawyer described him as isolated, spending excessive time in chatrooms and social media, which contributed to his criminal behavior.
His history includes uploading 138 images of child abuse and possessing additional images on his mobile phone.
His repeated offences and breaches of legal orders underscore the ongoing danger he poses to the community of Thornaby and beyond.
