COVENTRY MAN SPARED JAIL AFTER GROOMING ATTEMPT ON 14-YEAR-OLD
A Coventry man, Martin Cox, has been sentenced after being caught attempting to groom what he believed to be a 14-year-old child.
Cox, who was identified as a Cub leader and dementia patient carer, engaged in disturbing conversations online where he expressed a sexual interest in children.
The Yorkshire Predator Hunters, an online child protection team, posed as a 14-year-old decoy to expose him.
During the exchanges, Cox offered to buy alcohol for the child and suggested they could stay overnight together.
He was arrested after arranging to meet.
The Sentence At court, Cox was handed an 8-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months.
His sentence also includes: • 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement • 150 hours unpaid work to be completed within 12 months • Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) lasting 10 years • Mandatory registration as a sex offender for 10 years • Ordered to pay £187 in court costs Community Reaction Child safety campaigners have expressed concern that Cox avoided immediate prison time despite the serious nature of the offence.
Yorkshire Predator Hunters praised their decoy, “Rosa,” for helping to prevent Cox from potentially accessing real victims.
The group stated: “This man was in a position of trust, working with young people and vulnerable adults, yet his conversations revealed dangerous intentions.
We are glad this has been brought to light.”
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
A Coventry man, Martin Cox, has been sentenced after being caught attempting to groom what he believed to be a 14-year-old child. Cox, who was identified as a Cub leader and dementia patient carer, engaged in disturbing conversations onl...
Suspended sentence
24 months
The Sentence At court, Cox was handed an 8-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months
Community order
12 months
His sentence also includes: 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement 150 hours unpaid work to be completed within 12 months Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) lasting 10 years Mandatory registration as a sex offender for 10 years Ordered to pay 187 in court costs Community Reaction Child safety campaigners have expressed concern that Cox avoided immediate prison time despite the serious nature of the offence
Court order
10 years
His sentence also includes: 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement 150 hours unpaid work to be completed within 12 months Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) lasting 10 years Mandatory registration as a sex offender for 10 years Ordered to pay 187 in court costs Community Reaction Child safety campaigners have expressed concern that Cox avoided immediate prison time despite the serious nature of the offence
Fine or payment
150 hours
His sentence also includes: 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement 150 hours unpaid work to be completed within 12 months Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) lasting 10 years Mandatory registration as a sex offender for 10 years Ordered to pay 187 in court costs Community Reaction Child safety campaigners have expressed concern that Cox avoided immediate prison time despite the serious nature of the offence
