HEBBURN MAN STEPHEN ADAMS SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCE IN NEWCASTLE

A man named Stephen Adams, hailing from Hebburn, has been formally sentenced to a period of imprisonment following his attempt to meet a 14-year-old boy for sexual activity. The incident underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect minors from exploitation.

According to reports, police officers had orchestrated an undercover operation involving an officer known as "A". In November of the previous year, Adams initiated contact by sending a friend request via Snapchat to the undercover officer. Despite being made aware that his chat partner was a minor, Adams continued engaging in increasingly explicit and sexual conversations over the course of several days, from November 6 to November 12. The exchanges included detailed discussions about meeting up, with Adams expressing a desire to carry out sexual activities with the supposed 14-year-old.

When Adams arrived at the predetermined meeting location, believing he was about to meet the young boy, law enforcement officers swiftly intervened. They arrested him on the spot, preventing any potential illegal activity from taking place. During the subsequent court proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed that Adams had explicitly discussed plans to skip school and meet the boy, asking, "Are you sure you're ok with meeting up when I'm 24 and you're 14 and are underage." He also inquired about the boy's ability to sneak out of his house, and made comments such as "so cute," indicating a disturbing level of interest.

Further conversations included plans for Adams to visit the boy's home while his mother was at work, and discussions about using condoms during the encounter. Adams expressed eagerness, stating he "can't wait to take your clothes off you," and voiced concerns about the potential consequences if anyone found out, fearing he would be in serious trouble. However, he was reassured by the other party that the boy would not disclose their communications.

Police investigations revealed that Adams was at Tesco when he received a message indicating that the boy was leaving. His arrest effectively halted any further illegal plans, ensuring the safety of the minor involved.

Adams pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and arranging a child sex offence. The court sentenced him to two years and four months in prison. Additionally, he is required to sign the sex offenders register and comply with a sexual harm prevention order for a period of ten years.

During sentencing, Recorder Jonathan Sandiford emphasized that Adams had "saw an opportunity for the sexual exploitation of what you thought was a 14-year-old," and highlighted that his actions demonstrated a clear intent to carry out the sexual activity he had arranged, had police not intervened. The court also noted that Adams had discussed visiting the boy's home when his mother was at work and had asked for photographs, indicating an awareness of the wrongful nature of his conduct.

In his defense, Adams's lawyer, Jason Smith, acknowledged his client's remorse, attributing his behavior to stress and depression caused by personal circumstances, including the death of his grandmother and a recent relationship breakdown. Smith also pointed out that Adams had no previous convictions and recognized the potential harm caused by his actions.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Lee Robertson expressed gratitude to all those involved in the investigation, affirming that their efforts had ensured a dangerous predator was now behind bars. The police continue to operate under initiatives like Operation Sentinel, which aims to monitor and combat online offences against children, safeguarding the community from such threats.