JOHN SMITH SENTENCED IN LIVERPOOL FOR GROOMING AND ABUSE A CHILD
A dangerous convicted paedophile, John Smith, used Snapchat to groom and subsequently abuse a young teenage boy.Previously, Smith, a former junior football coach, was sentenced in 2019 for sending explicit images to boys via Snapchat.
The 24-year-old was brought back to Liverpool Crown Court after using the same app to target another child, ultimately grooming and abusing him.
The victim's mother expressed her distress, stating: "I feel like I don't know my own son at all anymore." A judge in Liverpool condemned Smith's "unwanted and predatory instincts" as "dangerous" to young boys.
Prosecutor Peter Killen outlined that Smith initially contacted the boy on a different messaging platform before suggesting they switch to Snapchat.
Mr.
Killen explained that after transitioning onto Snapchat, they exchanged phone numbers and communicated via FaceTime.
During these exchanges, Smith believed the boy was "17 or 18," but once the boy disclosed he was a teenager, Smith began to groom him.
According to Mr.
Killen, "The conversations started normally; they exchanged personal information." Smith then asked the boy to "meet up for a kiss," which they did near Smith's workplace, accompanied by the boy's sister.
When his sister walked ahead, Smith asked, "Your sister has walked off now, should we kiss?" The boy was too embarrassed to respond, but they kissed.
Smith later thanked the boy, saying, "Thanks for the kiss." The grooming continued with another encounter where they kissed again, and Smith touched the boy's genital area, telling him, "Kiss me if you want me to stop." The abuse was interrupted only when the boy's sister called, prompting the boy to tell Smith he had to go home.
Smith also attempted to obtain sexual images by asking the boy to send pictures of his genitals and sent a video of himself performing a sex act.
It was also discovered that Smith had been contacting the boy's friend, believing he was in a relationship with both boys.
When the boy’s family uncovered the situation, he told Smith they were aware of his actions.
Smith responded by blocking him on social media.
In a victim personal statement, the boy’s mother shared that her son had been suffering from sleep difficulties, poor health, and appeared "not himself," describing her feelings as: "I feel like I don't know my own son at all anymore.
This is very upsetting," and expressed her fears about the safety of her son in the area.
Smith was convicted in a March 2019 trial on charges including sexual communication with three boys, meeting a child following sexual grooming, sexual communication with a child, and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which he violated through these new offences.
Defence lawyer Peter White explained that Smith "accepted the Crown's case in its entirety" and provided background, stating he had a "quiet, stable, happy childhood," with good education and employment history.
Mr.
White emphasized that Smith’s family were supportive and unaware of his offending, and acknowledged that Smith has "issues regarding his own sexual orientation" — though he stressed this did "not justify" his criminal behavior.
Smith was described by his lawyer as being "genuinely remorseful" and puzzled by his actions.
Smith, of School Way, Speke, pleaded guilty to four charges: sexual activity with a child, meeting a child through sexual grooming, sexual communication with a child, and breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Judge Recorder Ian Unsworth, QC, addressed Smith directly, stating: "You subjected another victim, another young boy, to your unwanted and predatory instincts." He noted that the victim had "nothing to blame himself for," as did his mother, and accused Smith of using the boy solely for "your own sexual gratification." The judge highlighted the "significant risk of causing serious harm" posed by Smith, citing his lack of insight into the damage caused.
Passing sentence, Recorder Unsworth labeled Smith a "dangerous offender" and sentenced him to four years and six months in prison, with an extended three-year licence period.
This means Smith must serve at least two-thirds of his custodial term behind bars, and release will depend on a parole board’s assessment that he no longer poses a threat.
