JONATHAN MEECHAN FROM BLANTYRE SENTENCED FOR PREDATORY PLOTS IN HEREFORD
| Red Rose Database
Blantyre Online Groomer
A 35-year-old man from Blantyre, Jonathan Meechan, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after he was found guilty of engaging in a disturbing online scheme aimed at meeting a 13-year-old girl for sexual purposes. The case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the serious consequences faced by those who exploit minors.
According to court records, Meechan initiated a series of online conversations with the young girl, who was residing in the Hereford area of England. Over a period of time, the two exchanged a staggering total of 1,016 messages, during which Meechan gradually steered the conversation toward sexual topics. His persistent efforts included sending explicit photographs of himself and his vehicle, while the girl reciprocated by sharing indecent images of herself. The exchanges revealed a clear intent on Meechan’s part to pursue a sexual encounter with the minor.
The situation came to light when the girl’s mother discovered the inappropriate messages on her daughter’s phone. Alarmed and distressed, she promptly contacted West Mercia Police, prompting an investigation into the matter. During the inquiry, authorities learned that Meechan had not only been communicating with the girl but also had plans to travel from his home in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, to meet her in Hereford for sexual activity. Furthermore, Meechan expressed a desire for the girl to relocate to Scotland to live with him once she turned 16, indicating a disturbing long-term grooming intent.
In November 2023, police executed a search warrant at Meechan’s residence. During the subsequent interview, he claimed to have 'relapsed' into a cocaine addiction and described his mental state as being 'in cloud cuckoo land' due to drug influence. A forensic examination of his mobile phone uncovered a horrifying collection of 2,555 child sex abuse images and 12 videos depicting child exploitation, underscoring the severity of his offending.
At Hamilton Sheriff Court, Meechan admitted to charges of communicating indecently with a minor and possessing indecent images of children. Sheriff Michael Higgins sentenced him to 16 months in prison, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. The court also ordered that Meechan be monitored for 18 months following his release and placed on the sex offenders' register for a decade. Additionally, he was prohibited from contacting the victim for seven years.
Depute fiscal Jack Muir provided details of the case, stating: 'In November 2023, the complainer's mother attended Hereford police station to report that her daughter had been communicating with an older male and exchanging sexually explicit images. She also informed officers that there were plans for the male to travel to Hereford to meet her daughter for sexual activity.'
Sheriff Higgins concluded by remarking on the seriousness of the case: 'I am satisfied that the custody threshold has been crossed and that the only appropriate and proportionate sentence is a custodial sentence. You were aware of her young age yet continued in the manner that you did, and the amount of category A images in your possession was considerable.'
According to court records, Meechan initiated a series of online conversations with the young girl, who was residing in the Hereford area of England. Over a period of time, the two exchanged a staggering total of 1,016 messages, during which Meechan gradually steered the conversation toward sexual topics. His persistent efforts included sending explicit photographs of himself and his vehicle, while the girl reciprocated by sharing indecent images of herself. The exchanges revealed a clear intent on Meechan’s part to pursue a sexual encounter with the minor.
The situation came to light when the girl’s mother discovered the inappropriate messages on her daughter’s phone. Alarmed and distressed, she promptly contacted West Mercia Police, prompting an investigation into the matter. During the inquiry, authorities learned that Meechan had not only been communicating with the girl but also had plans to travel from his home in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, to meet her in Hereford for sexual activity. Furthermore, Meechan expressed a desire for the girl to relocate to Scotland to live with him once she turned 16, indicating a disturbing long-term grooming intent.
In November 2023, police executed a search warrant at Meechan’s residence. During the subsequent interview, he claimed to have 'relapsed' into a cocaine addiction and described his mental state as being 'in cloud cuckoo land' due to drug influence. A forensic examination of his mobile phone uncovered a horrifying collection of 2,555 child sex abuse images and 12 videos depicting child exploitation, underscoring the severity of his offending.
At Hamilton Sheriff Court, Meechan admitted to charges of communicating indecently with a minor and possessing indecent images of children. Sheriff Michael Higgins sentenced him to 16 months in prison, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. The court also ordered that Meechan be monitored for 18 months following his release and placed on the sex offenders' register for a decade. Additionally, he was prohibited from contacting the victim for seven years.
Depute fiscal Jack Muir provided details of the case, stating: 'In November 2023, the complainer's mother attended Hereford police station to report that her daughter had been communicating with an older male and exchanging sexually explicit images. She also informed officers that there were plans for the male to travel to Hereford to meet her daughter for sexual activity.'
Sheriff Higgins concluded by remarking on the seriousness of the case: 'I am satisfied that the custody threshold has been crossed and that the only appropriate and proportionate sentence is a custodial sentence. You were aware of her young age yet continued in the manner that you did, and the amount of category A images in your possession was considerable.'