JOSHUA BOULTON FROM FENHAM ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE ONLINE GROOMING OF TEENAGE GIRL IN NEWCASTLE
| Red Rose Database
Fenham Sexual Abuser
In September 2018, a disturbing case involving Joshua Boulton, a resident of Fenham, Newcastle, came to light, revealing the troubling extent of online grooming and the subsequent legal proceedings. Boulton, who was identified as a known online predator, had previously been caught twice attempting to groom a young girl through social media platforms. Despite these serious allegations and the high risk he posed to children, he was ultimately released back into the community, sparking outrage among the victim’s family and local residents.
It all began when Boulton initiated contact with a 13-year-old girl via the internet. He sent her flattering messages, attempting to charm her and gain her trust. The girl, recognizing the inappropriate nature of his messages, confided in her mother. Acting swiftly, her mother took over the conversation, continuing to communicate with Boulton under the guise of her daughter, in order to gather evidence against him. During these exchanges, Boulton, believing he was speaking to a young girl, quickly shifted the conversation towards sexual topics. He sent explicit images of his genitals, asked for photographs of the girl, inquired if he could touch her sexually, and instructed her not to tell her parents. He also arranged a meeting, further demonstrating his intent to exploit.
Once sufficient evidence was collected, the girl’s parents contacted the police, leading to Boulton’s arrest. However, during police questioning, he refused to answer questions, and the case was postponed for a charging decision. Remarkably, Boulton was released without bail or charges at that time, a decision that infuriated the girl’s family. The parents, concerned about his continued contact with children, decided to monitor him themselves. They created a fake profile, pretending to be a 15-year-old girl, to see if he would attempt to engage her in sexual conversations. Their suspicions proved correct when Boulton initiated contact, sent explicit images, and discussed meeting for sex.
Following this new evidence, the police finally charged Boulton. He admitted to attempting to meet a child following grooming and engaging in sexual communication with a minor. Despite the severity of his actions, in a surprising turn, Boulton was sentenced to a community order rather than imprisonment. The judge, Recorder Eric Elliott QC, explained that this decision was made to allow him to receive more extensive help over a longer period, describing it as an “exceptional course.”
The impact of Boulton’s actions on the victim and her family was profound. The girl’s father addressed Newcastle Crown Court, describing how their lives had been turned upside down by the ordeal. He expressed his disgust and emphasized that his daughter, still a child, was deeply affected. He recounted the distress caused by Boulton’s explicit messages, including the sending of an erect penis, which made his wife physically sick. The father questioned the justice of releasing Boulton initially without charges, lamenting that someone considered a danger to children was allowed to walk free.
He also shared the ongoing fears his daughter now faces, including reluctance to go outside and concerns that Boulton might be nearby. The father admitted that he was tempted to confront Boulton physically but chose to pursue justice instead. His words reflected a deep hatred for the “scum” who posed a risk to children and a concern that Boulton might have contacted other youngsters. He described Boulton’s attempt to meet his daughter at a riverside location for sexual activities as “sick.”
The initial contact occurred in October of the previous year, when Boulton used an Instagram profile linked to Facebook to reach out to the girl. He complimented her, calling her “beautiful and gorgeous,” but she refused to disclose her location or move the conversation to Snapchat for safety reasons. Prosecutor Julie Clemitson explained that the girl’s mother took over the conversation, which continued in a sexual manner, with Boulton asking for pictures and expressing his desire to kiss and touch her.
To gather more evidence, the parents prolonged the conversation and arranged a meeting, during which Boulton told the girl not to tell her parents, claiming he could get arrested. He sent explicit images and asked if he could touch her sexually when they met. Boulton was arrested at this point but was released pending a decision on whether to charge him.
Concerned about ongoing contact, the girl’s mother created a fake profile, claiming to be a 15-year-old girl. In May of that year, she liked a picture Boulton had posted on Instagram, which led to further communication. Boulton, believing he was speaking to a 15-year-old, asked if she was a virgin, sent explicit images, and discussed meeting for sex. He also asked if she wanted to have sex and expressed a desire to kiss her.
Ultimately, Boulton was charged and faced court. He pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following grooming and engaging in sexual communication. He was sentenced to a three-year community order, a five-year sexual harm prevention order, an indefinite restraining order, and was required to register as a sex offender. Recorder Elliott QC emphasized that Boulton’s persistence and determination to continue his vile conduct, despite previous investigations, demonstrated his high risk to children. The judge explained that the community order would allow for better monitoring and help over three years, contrasting with a maximum two-year suspended sentence. This decision was described as an “exceptional course,” aiming to balance punishment with rehabilitation and supervision.
It all began when Boulton initiated contact with a 13-year-old girl via the internet. He sent her flattering messages, attempting to charm her and gain her trust. The girl, recognizing the inappropriate nature of his messages, confided in her mother. Acting swiftly, her mother took over the conversation, continuing to communicate with Boulton under the guise of her daughter, in order to gather evidence against him. During these exchanges, Boulton, believing he was speaking to a young girl, quickly shifted the conversation towards sexual topics. He sent explicit images of his genitals, asked for photographs of the girl, inquired if he could touch her sexually, and instructed her not to tell her parents. He also arranged a meeting, further demonstrating his intent to exploit.
Once sufficient evidence was collected, the girl’s parents contacted the police, leading to Boulton’s arrest. However, during police questioning, he refused to answer questions, and the case was postponed for a charging decision. Remarkably, Boulton was released without bail or charges at that time, a decision that infuriated the girl’s family. The parents, concerned about his continued contact with children, decided to monitor him themselves. They created a fake profile, pretending to be a 15-year-old girl, to see if he would attempt to engage her in sexual conversations. Their suspicions proved correct when Boulton initiated contact, sent explicit images, and discussed meeting for sex.
Following this new evidence, the police finally charged Boulton. He admitted to attempting to meet a child following grooming and engaging in sexual communication with a minor. Despite the severity of his actions, in a surprising turn, Boulton was sentenced to a community order rather than imprisonment. The judge, Recorder Eric Elliott QC, explained that this decision was made to allow him to receive more extensive help over a longer period, describing it as an “exceptional course.”
The impact of Boulton’s actions on the victim and her family was profound. The girl’s father addressed Newcastle Crown Court, describing how their lives had been turned upside down by the ordeal. He expressed his disgust and emphasized that his daughter, still a child, was deeply affected. He recounted the distress caused by Boulton’s explicit messages, including the sending of an erect penis, which made his wife physically sick. The father questioned the justice of releasing Boulton initially without charges, lamenting that someone considered a danger to children was allowed to walk free.
He also shared the ongoing fears his daughter now faces, including reluctance to go outside and concerns that Boulton might be nearby. The father admitted that he was tempted to confront Boulton physically but chose to pursue justice instead. His words reflected a deep hatred for the “scum” who posed a risk to children and a concern that Boulton might have contacted other youngsters. He described Boulton’s attempt to meet his daughter at a riverside location for sexual activities as “sick.”
The initial contact occurred in October of the previous year, when Boulton used an Instagram profile linked to Facebook to reach out to the girl. He complimented her, calling her “beautiful and gorgeous,” but she refused to disclose her location or move the conversation to Snapchat for safety reasons. Prosecutor Julie Clemitson explained that the girl’s mother took over the conversation, which continued in a sexual manner, with Boulton asking for pictures and expressing his desire to kiss and touch her.
To gather more evidence, the parents prolonged the conversation and arranged a meeting, during which Boulton told the girl not to tell her parents, claiming he could get arrested. He sent explicit images and asked if he could touch her sexually when they met. Boulton was arrested at this point but was released pending a decision on whether to charge him.
Concerned about ongoing contact, the girl’s mother created a fake profile, claiming to be a 15-year-old girl. In May of that year, she liked a picture Boulton had posted on Instagram, which led to further communication. Boulton, believing he was speaking to a 15-year-old, asked if she was a virgin, sent explicit images, and discussed meeting for sex. He also asked if she wanted to have sex and expressed a desire to kiss her.
Ultimately, Boulton was charged and faced court. He pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following grooming and engaging in sexual communication. He was sentenced to a three-year community order, a five-year sexual harm prevention order, an indefinite restraining order, and was required to register as a sex offender. Recorder Elliott QC emphasized that Boulton’s persistence and determination to continue his vile conduct, despite previous investigations, demonstrated his high risk to children. The judge explained that the community order would allow for better monitoring and help over three years, contrasting with a maximum two-year suspended sentence. This decision was described as an “exceptional course,” aiming to balance punishment with rehabilitation and supervision.