MARK COLLYER FROM WATSON AND KNARESBOROUGH SENTENCED FOR ONLINE GROOMING IN NORTH YORKSHIRE

In a significant case highlighting the dangers of online grooming, Mark Collyer, a man from Watson, North Yorkshire, has been sentenced to nine months in prison after attempting to meet a person he believed to be a 14-year-old boy. The incident unfolded after Collyer-Watson engaged in conversations on the gay dating website Grindr, which is primarily intended for adult users.

Collyer-Watson, who works as an IT project manager, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court dressed in a dark suit and a dark blue tie during the hearing. He admitted to the charge of arranging to meet what he thought was a minor outside a KFC restaurant located on the Waterfront on July 25. The court was told that the defendant was caught after paedophile hunter Cheyenne O’Connor, who was posing as a child online, exposed his intentions.

According to police legal adviser Sam Morris, the investigation revealed that on July 24, the 36-year-old defendant initiated contact with the individual he believed to be a young boy on Grindr. Their conversations quickly turned sexual in nature, and they agreed to meet the following day. When Collyer-Watson arrived at the designated meeting point outside the KFC, he was promptly arrested by authorities.

It was also disclosed during the hearing that at the time of the incident, Collyer-Watson was visiting Jersey with his mother on a family holiday, following the recent death of his father. His defense lawyer, Sarah Dale, described him as a “loving, supportive son, brother, and partner,” emphasizing that his actions were “completely out of character.” She pointed out that Collyer-Watson had no prior criminal record and there was no evidence to suggest any interest in children. The lawyer also highlighted that Grindr is an adult-oriented platform, and while children may use it, her client was not seeking anyone under 18.

Furthermore, it was revealed that Collyer-Watson is in a long-term relationship, with his partner standing by him throughout the proceedings.

In her sentencing remarks, Relief Magistrate Sarah Fitz acknowledged that the defendant had used an adult website and was not specifically targeting minors. However, she emphasized the importance of protecting children from potential harm.

After the hearing, Cheyenne O’Connor, who had attended the case, expressed satisfaction with the nine-month prison sentence, stating that she believed it was appropriate given the circumstances.