FERRYHILL MAN SENT INDECENT IMAGES TO 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL
A pervert who sent pictures of a naked torso and a man's genitals to a 12-year-old girl was caught out by an undercover police officer.Stephen Parkinson, 32, befriended the young girl on Snapchat before sending a series of inappropriate messages through the social media platform.
The court heard that Parkinson initially appeared to portray himself as a 16-year-old boy, but then started sending images of his naked torso and penis, encouraging her to send images back.
He claimed he was 16 at the time.
The police discovered indecent images of children on his mobile after his arrest.
Parkinson pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child between September 18-22, 2023, possession of one Category B image, and possession of three Category C images.
The judge sentenced him to 12 months in prison suspended for two years, ordered him to attend 35 rehabilitation activity days, perform 80 hours of unpaid work, and placed him under a three-month electronically tagged curfew.
He must also sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years and is subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order.