JOHN BRIGGS FROM PRESTON CAUGHT IN ONLINE SEX OFFENSES INVOLVING CHILDREN
In August 2021, a serious incident involving John Briggs, a resident of Preston, came to light when he was found to have attempted to communicate with underage girls through online platforms.Briggs, aged 34 and residing on Tag Croft, Ingol, Preston, engaged in a series of disturbing online interactions that raised significant concerns about his adherence to legal restrictions and his ongoing risk to minors.
Preston Crown Court heard that Briggs had previously been convicted of sex offenses and was under a strict 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Despite this, he continued to breach the terms of his order by using the internet to contact children, which is explicitly prohibited.
His latest actions involved a total of 12 offenses, which led to his being sentenced to a prison term and a lifetime registration requirement.
The presiding judge, Judge Robert Altham, known as the Honorary Recorder of Preston, sentenced Briggs to 34 months in prison.
Additionally, Briggs was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities to protect the community.
Prosecutor Fiona McNeill detailed the case, explaining that Briggs was initially charged on February 17 with six counts related to his online conduct.
However, further investigations uncovered an additional six offenses, revealing a pattern of illegal behavior.
One of the most troubling aspects of the case involved Briggs engaging in sexualized conversations with a 15-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl.
These interactions took place via WhatsApp and Chat Avenue, with one of the victims being a member of a paedophile hunter group posing as a 13-year-old girl.
McNeill described how Briggs initially responded with seemingly innocent replies but quickly made it clear how old he believed the girls to be.
He asked if the girl was single and expressed interest in communicating further on WhatsApp.
Briggs also inquired if the girl was into older men and if she liked naughty pictures.
He posed personal questions and requested to see a photo of her, attempting to establish a sexual connection.
His behavior was clearly inappropriate and illegal, given the age of the victims.
Further investigations revealed that Briggs had violated his SHPO by engaging in similar conduct with two undercover police officers posing as 13-year-old girls.
During these interactions, he asked if the girls had developed breasts and if they wanted a 'naughty photo of him.' He even sent a link to a photograph of his private parts, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the restrictions placed upon him.
Defense lawyer Beverly Hackett stated that Briggs' previous employer continues to offer him employment, despite the serious nature of his offenses.
Briggs admitted to four counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, five counts of breaching his SHPO, and three counts of failing to comply with notification requirements.
Overall, the case highlights the ongoing risks posed by individuals like Briggs, who exploit online platforms to pursue illegal and harmful interactions with minors, despite legal restrictions and prior convictions.
The court's decision reflects the seriousness of his actions and the need for strict supervision to prevent further offenses.
