RAYMOND STRAUGHAN, GATESHEAD OFFENDER, SPARED PRISON BUT UNDER STRICT CONDITIONS

RAYMOND STRAUGHAN, GATESHEAD OFFENDER, SPARED PRISON BUT UNDER STRICT CONDITIONS

A pensioner and double amputee from Gateshead who engaged in inappropriate online conversations with someone he believed was a 12-year-old girl has been sentenced after breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Raymond Straughan, age 70, was initially given a suspended sentence in 2019 after inviting a supposed child to his home, claiming he wanted her to meet his cats and suggesting she move in so they could have sex nightly.

He was also subject to a sexual harm prevention order requiring him to report any internet-enabled devices to police.

On March 11 last year, risk management officers visited Straughan’s residence at 70 Barford Court, Harlow Green, and requested all devices capable of internet use.

Prosecutor Matthew Hopkins told Newcastle Crown Court, “The defendant provided officers a Samsung mobile phone, affirming it was his sole internet-enabled device.

Officers became suspicious when the phone appeared to be in a factory default state.” When asked again if this was his only device, Straughan confirmed this.

However, a few days later, officers noticed a different mobile phone on a coffee table near him.

Initially, he denied ownership, claiming it belonged to his wife, who initially backed the claim, but he later admitted it was his.

Though no illegal material was found on the second phone, it was revealed that he had breached the sexual harm prevention order by failing to declare it, and there was evidence of “sexualised conversation” with adults.

Mr.

Hopkins explained, “He stated he could not explain his actions.” Straughan, of Harlow Green, pleaded guilty to breaching the sexual harm prevention order and his suspended sentence.

Judge Christopher Prince sentenced him to eight months in prison, stating, “You were attempting to conceal your online behaviour, and the pre-sentence report highlights concerns about your motivations.” The judge emphasized his dishonesty regarding the second phone, describing it as “a deliberate breach of the order.” Defence solicitor Kelly Sharif acknowledged her client’s remorse, saying, “He has recognized his mistake in not informing police about the phone and is sorry.” She added that policing checks have since confirmed no issues with his devices.

The incidents stem from late 2018 to early 2019 when Straughan made contact with a social media account named Lucy, which was actually a decoy set up by the online paedophile hunting group called Stop.

Despite Lucy’s fabricated, seemingly young age, Straughan quickly engaged in sexually explicit conversations.

He asked if she was a virgin and expressed interest in exploring her body.

He then claimed he wanted to make love to her, believing that her age of 12 qualified her as an adult.

Fortunately, the profile was not a real child but an informant.

When Straughan was told that Lucy hoped to become a vet, he suggested she visit his home to meet his pets, then proposed swimming and going to a hotel together.

Although he planned to meet her, he pulled out two days beforehand.

Vigilante group members arrived at his address, prompting him to leave under threats of home damage and community gossip labeling him a paedophile.

As a result, Straughan was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and to adhere to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration.