SHAUN ELLIOTT FROM WALLSEND SENTENCED FOR ONLINE SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING FAKE CHILD PROFILES

A man from Wallsend, Shaun Elliott, aged 33, has been handed a suspended prison sentence after engaging in disturbing online conduct involving what he believed to be minors. The Newcastle Crown Court heard that Elliott was actively sending highly inappropriate and sexually explicit messages and images to what he thought were a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl. In reality, these profiles were fabricated by decoys, designed to catch individuals like Elliott in the act.

Judge Gavin Doig emphasized to Elliott that he was fortunate the profiles he interacted with were not real children. The court was informed that Elliott, who resides on Laurel Street, had previously been convicted for possessing indecent images of children. He pleaded guilty to three charges, including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor. As a result, Elliott was sentenced to 18 months in prison, but the term was suspended for two years, allowing him to avoid immediate custody under certain conditions.

The court detailed that Elliott made repulsive suggestions and sent explicit messages to the fake profiles during March and April of the previous year. Additionally, he sent a female profile images of himself performing a sexual act. Judge Doig remarked that Elliott’s actions were particularly egregious, noting that it was fortunate the social media accounts involved were fake. He warned that if the profiles had been genuine minors, a much harsher, custodial sentence would have been inevitable.

Further background revealed that Elliott had been caught in 2017 with a collection of illegal images depicting children. He was given a community order in 2019 for this offence, but due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, he was unable to complete the order. The judge made it clear that Elliott would be given an opportunity to work with probation services to address his behaviour, but he was also warned that any future offences would result in immediate imprisonment.

As part of his sentence, Elliott was subject to a sexual harm prevention order lasting ten years. He is also required to register as a sex offender for the same period, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the public from potential harm.