JOHN GIBSON SENTENCED IN SUNDERLAND FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES
A former nursing assistant with a perverted streak collapsed when confronted by paedophile hunters after attempting to have sex chats with a 12-year-old girl on Facebook.John Gibson, who believed he was speaking to a real child, was unaware that he was communicating with a decoy account operated by vigilantes.
Gibson, 50 years old, who worked in psychiatric hospitals for two decades until he was dismissed for sending sexual images to an adult, engaged in illicit conversations last February.
During the hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed that Gibson and the supposed girl exchanged messages via Facebook Messenger about topics including "pets and tattoos." Despite being repeatedly told that she was only 12, Gibson started discussing sex, claiming he could be her "first boyfriend," and sent graphic pictures and videos, requesting the same in return.
Prosecutor Christopher Rose stated, "On one occasion, he suggested that they get a hotel room in Basingstoke so she could stay with him and he could be her first boyfriend." The court was informed that the fake profile, which was based in southern England, contacted a similar organisation in the North East.
This group then arranged for Gibson to meet what he thought was the girl at a location, but was actually an adult.
The police were called to the scene.
Mr.
Rose added, "The defendant collapsed on the floor, complaining of chest pains, and was taken by ambulance.
During the ambulance journey, he admitted messaging a 12-year-old girl on Facebook, saying she wanted to meet him, and he said no." Gibson, of Hastings Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to attempting to cause a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to cause a child under 13 to watch a sexual act.
Judge Robert Adams sentenced him to three years and two months in prison, and ordered him to sign the sex offenders register for life and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.
Commenting on the case, Judge Adams remarked, "It is very clear you knew and understood she was 12 and you didn't seem to care.
There is no doubt whatsoever what you were talking about while talking about the hotel." The court also noted that Gibson's alcohol abuse contributed to his misconduct and that he had come across the fake profile by chance while seeking social connections.
Defence lawyer Fiona Lamb stated, "He has never been in trouble before and has been candid when questioned.
He accepts, unusually, that the offending behavior was motivated by sexual gratification." She added that Gibson is "at a loss" to explain his attraction to a child's profile but is willing to address his behavior.
