BARNSLEY MAN PLEADS GUILTY AFTER SEEKING PICTURES FROM 12-YEAR-OLD
A Barnsley paedophile who messaged a 12-year-old girl asking for pictures of her in her underwear says he has "lost everything." Sheffield Crown Court heard on Wednesday that Mark Ireland, 50, has lost his job, marriage, relationship with his children and grandchildren as a result of his offending.The court was told he pleaded guilty to attempting to engage a child in sexual communication after being caught by an undercover officer.
The officer - who went by the name "Danni" on social media app Kik - received a message from Ireland, of Spring Gardens on January 17 last year.
Prosecutor Katherine White said: "She identified herself as a 12-year-old girl.
The defendant was using it [the app] under the name 'Mark Hudson.' Danni saw she had received messages from the defendant sent a few days prior.
She responded and he told her he was 49 and lived in Sheffield." "She responded saying she was 12." Ireland told Danni he was online to "chat" and "have some fun." He responded the next day when asked what he meant by fun and said: "The kind I shouldn't have with you." The court heard Ireland told Danni he was buying new boxer shorts and asked if he should model them for her and if she could model her underwear for him.
Ms White said: "He later said he wishes she was older 'so I could be naughty with you.'" Over the course of several days, up until January 27, Ireland sent Danni an image of the crotch area of a pair of boxer shorts and genitalia which he claimed was his.
He also asked to see a picture of her in her school uniform.
Ms White said: "There was a further conversation where she said she was going for a shower and he said 'I wish I could watch.' The notes [of the exchanges] were then passed to South Yorkshire Police.
On February 17, 2022, officers went to his home and found he was at work.
He was arrested after they arrived." "He was interviewed and admitted having a conversation with a girl who told him she was 12.
He said he was speaking to people online and believed they were over 18, and he had joined naturist groups which require members to be 18, but accepted he may have spoken to people under 16." Mitigating, Laura Marshall told the court Ireland had "lost everything" as a result of his offending, citing mental health issues and the fact that the two boys he considers to be sons want nothing to do with him, and he has lost his home and marriage.
His Honour Judge Reeds KC remarked, "no one will ever be able to fathom" why Ireland committed the offences but emphasized that he had "lost his reputation and is now a convicted sex offender." Ireland was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and required to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity.
The judge also noted Ireland had lost his grandchildren.
