JED MILBURN FROM BENWELL CAUSES HAVOC IN NEWCASTLE WITH CHILD GROOMING AND DRUG SUPPLY

In January 2018, a disturbing case of online grooming and drug distribution unfolded in Newcastle, involving Jed Milburn, a 27-year-old resident of Benwell. Milburn used a fabricated Facebook profile to target a vulnerable 13-year-old girl, deliberately misrepresenting his age in an attempt to manipulate her for his own illicit purposes.

According to court proceedings, Milburn repeatedly offered to supply the young girl with cannabis, clearly hoping to exchange drugs for sexual favors. His persistent offers and manipulative tactics demonstrated a calculated effort to exploit her innocence. When the girl mentioned she might bring along a friend, Milburn responded with enthusiasm, not only agreeing to the plan but also requesting photographs, further indicating his predatory intent.

The court heard that Milburn arranged to meet the girls in Walker Park, a well-known public space in Newcastle. During their encounter, the girls smoked cannabis together, an activity that Milburn facilitated, knowing the girl was only 13 years old. This meeting marked a serious escalation in his criminal behavior, which involved both grooming and drug supply.

Milburn eventually admitted to meeting a child following sexual grooming and supplying cannabis, with the intent of gaining sexual advantage. His actions caused significant emotional distress to the victim, who later provided a heartfelt statement read aloud in court. She expressed her feelings of betrayal, stating, “I thought I had found a friend and someone that cared about me. I felt special until I realised he was just trying to get in bed with me. What this taught me is the world is not all roses and lillies. He can’t hurt me now, he deserves everything he gets. I now have severe trust issues and my confidence has gone down. I fear I will get hurt again.”

Following his guilty plea, Milburn was sentenced to four years in prison. The court also ordered him to register as a sex offender indefinitely and imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, he was barred from working with children or vulnerable adults, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses.

Judge Penny Moreland delivered a stern warning to Milburn, emphasizing the gravity of his misconduct. She stated, “The child was 13 when you established Facebook contact with her and you used a false profile and lied about your age. You repeatedly offered to supply her with cannabis and it’s clear you had in mind offering her cannabis and she would offer you some sort of sexual service in return. She said she would bring her friend and you agreed enthusiastically and asked for pictures. You have caused her significant emotional harm and have destroyed the trust and confidence of a child of 13 by what you did.”

During his arrest, Milburn attempted to conceal evidence by providing police with a different mobile phone, which he claimed might have belonged to his brother, suggesting an effort to evade detection. This act further underscored his attempt to cover up his criminal activities in the case. His actions in Newcastle, particularly in the Benwell area, have left a lasting impact on the community and serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators targeting vulnerable youth.