Hastings Man Jailed for Grooming Teen and Breaching Court Orders

HASTINGS MAN JAILED FOR GROOMING TEEN AND BREACHING COURT ORDERS

A highly manipulative sex offender with a disturbing history has been sentenced to prison.

Jaden Blyth, aged 23, was caught attempting to meet a teenage girl for sex, but it was revealed that he was actually communicating with a decoy account.

He had been living in Hastings at the time of the offences and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) issued in December 2020 due to previous sexual activity with a girl under 16.

Blyth used fake social media profiles, claiming to be an ex-army member and fun fair owner, and early in July, he engaged in conversations with a girl on Facebook who made it clear she was only 14.

The court heard that Blyth began grooming her, moving the conversation to WhatsApp, and asking her to be his girlfriend, even telling her 'love you.' He later discussed having sex and other sexual activities before they arranged a meeting.

After a week of communication, Blyth abruptly ended contact and moved to Hastings without informing police.

Police arrested him at his Hastings address, where he described himself as a 'carer' for a new girlfriend.

Blyth denied any knowledge of speaking to the girl and provided false information, claiming he deleted incriminating messages to 'make space' on his device.

The court heard that he showed no motivation to cease sexual activity, has a manipulative personality, and lacks empathy.

Judge Susan Evans KC sentenced Blyth to 81 months in prison and imposed a 36-month license period after his release, citing the need to protect the public from further offending.