March 2016 Cumbrian man, 30, groomed girl, 13, online – Avoids prison A PERVERT attempted to meet a 13-year-old girl for a planned sexual liaison after he groomed her online. Over the course of a fortnight, Ian Jackson, 30, took part in lewd web conversations despite her age. Carlisle Crown Court heard that after setting up a meeting at Whitehaven railway station on December 22, Jackson arrived by car with unopened boxes of condoms, a blanket and a bottle of “passion lotion”. Jackson was arrested and charged with attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. He admitted the offence and was given a 16-month jail sentence suspended for two years. Lisi Ke, prosecuting, said the online exchanges involving Jackson started with simple introductions. However, they became more “sexualised” and eventually turned “very explicit”. This was despite being told she was just 13. Jackson suggested meeting in secluded places away from prying eyes. Miss Ke said he told her his vehicle had tinted windows “so no-one could see her getting into the car or what they planned to do”. The court heard Jackson was a man of previous good character, and had used the website on which he was eventually caught to seek out adult female partners. His barrister Brendan Burke said Jackson had “vulnerabilities” and was in a “difficult emotional state” at the time following a relationship break-up. Judge Barbara Forrester suspended the jail sentence because she said an immediate prison term would not allow Jackson, of Main Street, Egremont, to attend a sex offender group work course. Jackson must complete a 35-day rehabilitation requirement and observe a six-month night time curfew.