JOHN IRVING CAUGHT IN CLACTON AND IPSWICH IN SHOCKING SEX OFFENDER CASE

In a serious development in the ongoing fight against sexual offenses involving minors, John Irving, a man with connections to both Clacton and Ipswich, has appeared in court to face charges related to breaching court-imposed restrictions following his previous convictions for attempting to engage in sexual communication with underage girls.

Irving, aged 57, was summoned to Ipswich Crown Court on a recent Wednesday to admit to violating the terms of a suspended sentence handed down to him last August. The breach involved his failure to maintain regular contact with probation officials between January 27 and February 17 of this year, a lapse that prompted further legal scrutiny.

Previously, Irving had been sentenced to an eight-month jail term, which was suspended for two years, after admitting to four counts of attempting to communicate sexually with a girl under 16. The court records reveal that he was caught on four separate occasions by women posing as minors aged 14, 13, and 12, acting on behalf of paedophile hunter groups aiming to expose such predatory behavior.

His arrest took place at his former residence on Inverness Road in Ipswich, following a confrontation with online paedophile hunters on July 4 of the previous year. Currently residing on Walton Road in Clacton, Irving explained to the court that his failure to stay in touch with probation officers was due to falling into a depression. He assured the court that his mental health has since improved and that he has resumed contact with authorities.

Probation reports indicated that Irving was honest about his breach and expressed that he had found the unpaid work component of his sentence to be a positive experience. The report recommended that the breach be addressed with additional unpaid work hours. In response, Judge Rupert Overbury ordered Irving to complete an extra 20 hours of unpaid work, emphasizing the seriousness of future breaches. The judge warned Irving that any further violations could result in the activation of his original sentence, leading to imprisonment.

At his initial sentencing, Irving had expressed remorse for his actions, voluntarily attended counseling sessions, and ceased using internet-enabled devices from the moment he was charged. The probation service classified him as a low risk of re-offending at that time. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

Earlier, in August 2020, Irving had been warned by authorities after attempting to engage with an online decoy. During that incident, he made comments such as “you’re leaving yourself open for perverts,” while trying to initiate sexual conversations. His interactions involved the use of the Skout social networking and dating app, where he sent messages like “Hey beautiful, sexy girl. Liked your photo. Would like to give you hugs from me and kiss your lips,” and requested explicit photos from the decoys.

Despite the decoys claiming different ages, Irving continued to send sexual messages, even after being informed that one was only 13. His preoccupation with minors was described by Judge Overbury as “extremely unhealthy and harmful,” noting that although no physical meeting occurred, there were elements of grooming and suggestions of full sexual activity. The judge emphasized that Irving’s actions demonstrated a serious threat to minors and warned him that any future offenses would result in immediate imprisonment.

Irving’s case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community groups in Ipswich and Clacton to combat online predatory behavior and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation. His repeated offenses and breaches highlight the importance of strict legal measures and vigilant monitoring to prevent further harm.