RICHARD BINKS FROM ALNWICK AND BLYTH CAUGHT IN SEX TEXT SCANDAL
A man has walked free from court despite admitting sending sexually explicit texts to a 13 year old.
Richard Binks was at Blyth Spartans croft park ground last September(2009) when he was approached by one of the girls and asked for his phone number, Newcastle crown court head on Friday(July 2010).
The 25-year-old, thinking both girls were 16, sent a sexually explicit text to them 3 days later, also suggesting that they meet in Bedlington that night, the court was told.
Katherine Dunn prosecuting.
said: “They began to talk about playing games, initially hide and seek.
“he then asked the girls to take their clothes off, but nothing sexual happened.
“the girls left bedlington area, saying they had to go home, but these incedent’s were not reported.” Binks then girlfriend later saw the text messages on his phone, and contacted the police.
Binks, pleaded guilty to meeting a child following online grooming.
Caroline Goodwin, defending, said that at the time Binks was going through an “extreamley dificult time” with his then girlfriend.
“This defendent is vulnerable” said Ms Goodwin.
“He is a weak man and sombody has found his achilles heel” “he found himself commiting this ridiculous series of offences, whereby he was flattered by thair attention and has reciprocated there text messages and he arranged the meeting.
“yes he may be 25, but quite frankly he has acted more like a child,and he is the one who has rid himself of a maturity of thought.” Judge Brian Forster sentenced Binks to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.
He also imposed a two-year community supervision order with requirements to attend a community domestic violence programmeand sexual offenders group program.
Binks was orderd to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.
Judge Forster said: “The offence is serious because it is important that everyone understands that its not possible to arrange to meet young children for sexual purposes.
“I accept thatit was the girls who made the initial approach to yourself, but, at the same time, the responsibility is yours because however the girls may appear, there is a considerable difference in age.
“You are a 25-year-old man, someone that has had relationships and is resposible for others.
you should have known better.” “It was an act of criminal madness to text in that way.”
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
y he has acted more like a child,and he is the one who has rid himself of a maturity of thought." Judge Brian Forster sentenced Binks to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. He also imposed a two-year community supervision or...
Prison sentence
eight months
Caroline Goodwin, defending, said that at the time Binks was going through an "extreamley dificult time" with his then girlfriend. "This defendent is vulnerable" said Ms Goodwin. "He is a weak man and sombody has found his achilles heel" "he found himself commiting this ridiculous series of offences, whereby he was flattered by thair attention and has reciprocated there text messages and he arranged the meeting. "yes he may be 25, but quite frankly he has acted more like a child,and he is the one who has rid himself of a maturity of thought." Judge Brian Forster sentenced Binks to eight months in prison, suspended for two years
Suspended sentence
two years
Caroline Goodwin, defending, said that at the time Binks was going through an "extreamley dificult time" with his then girlfriend. "This defendent is vulnerable" said Ms Goodwin. "He is a weak man and sombody has found his achilles heel" "he found himself commiting this ridiculous series of offences, whereby he was flattered by thair attention and has reciprocated there text messages and he arranged the meeting. "yes he may be 25, but quite frankly he has acted more like a child,and he is the one who has rid himself of a maturity of thought." Judge Brian Forster sentenced Binks to eight months in prison, suspended for two years
Sex Offenders Register
10 years
Binks was orderd to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years
