DOUGLAS CREAK FROM GREAT WAKERING JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSE IN LIVERPOOL

In a case that has raised serious concerns about online safety and the potential dangers of internet interactions, Douglas Creak, a resident of Conway Avenue in Great Wakering, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to a grave sexual offence involving a 15-year-old boy. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance among young internet users and highlights the risks associated with meeting strangers online.

According to court records, Creak, aged 44 and a married man, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on a Friday to face charges related to his conduct. He pleaded guilty to the offence, which involved meeting the underage boy after initially engaging with him in a gay chat room on the internet. During their online conversations, the boy claimed to be 18 years old, but later confessed that he was actually three years younger than his initial claim.

The two arranged to meet in Liverpool city centre on June 23. Following their meeting, Creak took the boy to a local hotel where they shared a meal together. After the meal, they proceeded to Creak’s hotel room, where the sexual offence was committed. It is important to note that the act was carried out with the boy’s consent, which was given during the encounter.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn when the boy’s father discovered the liaison. Upon finding out about his son’s meeting with Creak, the father arrived at the hotel and confronted the pair. In a moment of anger and concern, he punched Creak in the face before taking his son home. The incident at the hotel was reported to the authorities, leading to Creak’s arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

As part of his sentence, Creak was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years following his release from prison. The court also allowed an indecent assault charge to remain on file, although it was not actively pursued in the proceedings. Judge Ann Downey emphasized the gravity of the offence, stating, “The court accepts the boy took part in the act in the hotel room without pressure or force from you. At the hotel, you had a meal with the boy and had plenty of opportunity to rescind from what you had planned. Instead, you went through with it. Therein lies the seriousness of it.”

In response to the case, police officials issued a warning to young people about the dangers of online interactions. A spokesperson for Essex Police highlighted the risks, saying, “There have been cases across the country where people have ended up in difficult situations or victims of crime as a result of meeting people over the internet. If you are going to meet someone, then you should always keep to a public place and if at all possible, take a chaperone.”

This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in online spaces and the importance of safeguarding oneself when engaging with strangers on the internet.