JOHN EYRE FROM HARTLEPOOL SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRL IN TEESSIDE
In December 2016, a man from Hartlepool named John Eyre was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor.The incident, which took place in Teesside, has left a lasting impact on the young girl involved, who described feeling scared, upset, and betrayed by the events that unfolded.
According to court proceedings, Eyre, who was 25 years old at the time, deliberately lured an underage girl to a flat for the purpose of having sex.
The court heard that Eyre was significantly older than the girl, raising concerns about the disparity in age and the nature of their relationship.
Prosecutor Shaun Dodds emphasized this point, stating, “There is here, say the Crown, a significant disparity in age.” During the trial, it was revealed that Eyre had sent the girl text messages in which he called her “sexy” and asked her to spend the night with him.
The court was also informed that Eyre had made special arrangements to meet her, indicating a level of premeditation and grooming behavior.
Despite Eyre’s claims that he believed the girl was 16, the judge dismissed this assertion, asserting that Eyre’s intentions and actions suggested otherwise.
The victim, a young girl, provided emotional testimony about the profound effect the incident had on her.
She stated, “I was upset and scared I might see him again and he might hurt me again.
I get annoyed all the time, I can’t stop my bad moods and just want to scream all the time.
I feel like I won’t be happy again.
I feel mad at him for ruining my life.” Her words underscored the trauma and distress caused by Eyre’s actions.
John Eyre, who resides on Ibrox Grove in Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual activity with a child.
His defense, led by Ian Mullarkey, highlighted that Eyre was a father of two and had no previous convictions related to similar offenses.
Mullarkey pleaded for the court to consider a suspended sentence, emphasizing that there had been no further offending.
However, the presiding judge, Simon Hickey, was not convinced by Eyre’s claims.
He stated, “You maintained you thought she was 16.
I don’t accept that.
There was also, in my judgement, a targeting and some amount of grooming over a short time.” As part of his sentence, Eyre was ordered to serve three years and four months in prison.
Additionally, he was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that restricts any future contact with girls under the age of 16 for a period of ten years.
A restraining order was also issued against the victim, and Eyre was placed on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further offenses.
