JAMIE SMITH SENTENCED IN WARRINGTON FOR GROOMING OFFENCES
A man named Jamie Smith, aged 44, was sentenced today after engaging in vile online conversations involving what he believed to be underage girls.Smith, who openly called himself a "nonce pedo" on social media, targeted minors on chat forums, thinking he was communicating with teenagers.
He believed he was talking to a 14-year-old girl named 'Darcie' when he discussed performing sexual acts on her.
During their chats, he sent her a photo of his penis and jokingly claimed that what he was doing was "classed as grooming a minor LOL." In fact, Smith was speaking to a decoy profile set up by the paedophile hunter group Children Online Battling Real Abuse (COBRA).
Smith also interacted with another decoy, a 13-year-old called 'Bekki.' Liverpool Crown Court heard that Smith started chatting with Bekki via the SayHi app last June.
His profile featured a picture of a dog and a second image showing his naked torso, with a bio stating he was a "nonce/pedo." He initiated conversations with Bekki, asking "hey sexy girl, how are you?" and confirming her age when she replied she was 13.
Prosecution lawyer Natalia Cornwall stated that Smith falsely claimed to have a conviction for sexual activity with a 13-year-old (which the court was told was not true) and told Bekki he was a sex offender.
The chats moved to WhatsApp, continuing until August, with Smith's messages turning more sexual.
He admitted alcohol consumption and bizarre behaviors like trying on tights and miniskirts.
Smith expressed his love for girls' underwear, indicated he wanted to see her in her underwear, and detailed a desire to perform sexual acts on her.
He also told Bekki that his name was John.
The conversations continued until October, but no meeting was arranged despite Bekki asking in September how they could meet without knowing his address.
Smith replied he would meet her in a public place.
Meanwhile, on Jaumo, Smith engaged with Darcie, who told him she was 14 after he called her "sexy" and used the alias John McGee.
Despite knowing her age, he complimented her and discussed her staying over at his address.
He also talked about teaching her about sex, performing sexual acts, and sent her a naked photo, joking about grooming her.
Smith suggested multiple potential meetings with Darcie, including in Warrington in late October, but then went quiet.
On November 5, he arranged to meet her at Manchester Oxford Road Station, sharing train details and promising to text before arrival, but he did not show up.
He disclosed his home address to an adult decoy, leading COBRA to visit his home on November 11.
The group streamed the confrontation live on Facebook and also contacted police.
Police arrested Smith, who initially claimed he knew the accounts were decoys set up by paedophile hunters and that his engagement was for "cheap thrills." He later admitted to attempting to meet a child following grooming and to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
Defense lawyer Philip Tully noted Smith had no prior convictions but acknowledged a caution for sexual assault in 2005.
That incident reportedly involved him hugging and pecking a 15-year-old girl without any sexual intent.
Tully urged the judge to avoid prison, citing Smith’s good employment record, genuine remorse, and suffering from health issues like COPD and a skin disorder.
He explained that Smith was frank in a pre-sentence report about his motives and was receptive to help.
Judge Recorder Rick Pratt QC commented that Smith's actions went beyond preparation and involved a clear belief he was communicating with children below the age of proper sexual decision-making.
He highlighted the seriousness of Smith's conversations with Darcie, including grooming and attempting to arrange meetings.
The phrase Smith used about grooming "LOL" was noted as sinister.
The judge expressed the view that Smith intended to engage in penetrative sexual activity with Darcie and judged his behavior to be of significant concern.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged that no child was involved in fact, providing some mitigation.
He sentenced Smith to two years and three months imprisonment, gave him 25% credit for his guilty pleas, ordered him to register as a sex offender for 10 years, and imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
