JOHN PARR FROM STAFFORD SENT SEXUAL TEXTS TO 15-YEAR-OLD BOY AT DALANS

In September 2011, a serious case emerged involving John Parr, a shop assistant based in Stafford, who was found to have sent sexually suggestive text messages to a 15-year-old boy. The incident took place at Dalans, an electrical goods store located in Gaol Square, Stafford, where Parr was employed as an assistant.

Prosecutor Nick Tatlow revealed that the police discovered explicit and suggestive messages from Parr on the young customer's mobile phone. These messages raised significant concerns about the nature of their communication and the potential intentions behind it.

John Parr, aged 61 and residing on Brisbane Road in Stafford, faced four charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. During the court proceedings, he admitted to these charges, acknowledging that he had engaged in inappropriate communication with the minor. The court sentenced him to a three-year community order, requiring him to pay £500 in costs. Additionally, Parr was banned from working with children for the rest of his life and was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of five years.

Judge Michael Cullum addressed Parr directly, stating, “Your basis of plea is that you had no intention of going any further than talking about sex, in effect, you were fantasising. It must have taken a good deal of soul searching to explain to your wife why you are in Stafford Crown Court today.”

Mr. Tatlow emphasized the troubling aspects of the case, noting that Parr’s employment in a retail environment brought him into regular contact with young people. He also pointed out that Parr had mentioned the possibility of meeting other young individuals, which added to the concerns about his intentions.

When questioned, Parr accepted that he had sent the messages but insisted that he had no plans to carry out any sexual activity. His defense lawyer, Mark Nicholls, stated that Parr was no longer employed at the shop and highlighted that none of the suggestions made in the messages progressed beyond mere talk. Nicholls added, “It’s to his credit that none of these suggestions went any further than that. When there had been an agreement to meet, the defendant stopped it.”