MARK BOYD SHIREMOOR FOOTBALL PREDATOR CAUGHT IN INTERNET SEX SCANDAL

In October 2011, a disturbing case involving a man from Shiremoor was brought to light through a tip-off that led to his arrest and subsequent charges. The incident centered around Mark Boyd, a 32-year-old mature student residing on South Street in Shiremoor, who was caught engaging in inappropriate and illegal online behavior targeting underage girls.

According to reports presented at Newcastle Crown Court, Boyd had been actively participating in chat rooms on the internet where he made explicit sexual requests to young girls he believed to be as young as 12 years old. These conversations included disturbing propositions, such as asking the girls to send revealing photographs or even to strip on webcam for him. Despite his explicit advances, none of the girls responded positively to his “fantasies,” court documents revealed.

The investigation was initiated after one of Boyd’s young targets became concerned about the nature of their online interactions. She took the step of forwarding a transcript of their explicit conversation to the Northumberland Football Association, suspecting that Boyd was involved in coaching a youth girls’ football team. This concern prompted the authorities to act swiftly. The Northumberland FA contacted the police, which led to Boyd’s arrest at his residence in Shiremoor. During the subsequent investigation, authorities examined his laptop and uncovered additional conversations of a similar sexual nature, further implicating him in the misconduct.

Prosecutor Michael Graham outlined the charges against Boyd, stating that he had admitted to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to do so on three separate occasions over a nine-day period in September of the previous year. During police interviews, Boyd claimed that he was now only involved in the development of a girls’ football team and had stepped back from coaching because the team now had a female coach. However, these claims did little to mitigate the severity of his actions.

Boyd, who had no prior criminal record, faced sentencing that included a three-year community order with supervision. He was also mandated to participate in a probation-led treatment program for sex offenders. Additionally, he was disqualified from working with children, required to register as a sex offender with police for the next five years, and subjected to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order designed to prevent contact with minors.

Judge Paul Sloan emphasized the importance of community protection, stating, “I believe the community would be better served and protected if you were to participate in the programme.” Boyd was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £1,496. A presentence report described him as “socially isolated,” highlighting the impact of his actions on his social life.

During the hearing, Boyd’s defense lawyer, Paul Cross, expressed remorse, stating, “He is a man who is having some difficulty in coming to terms with feelings, about which he now plainly feels deeply ashamed.” The case underscores the ongoing concerns about online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable young people from predators operating under the guise of digital anonymity.