JONATHAN PENNINGTON OF BILLINGHAM SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING TEESSIDE GIRL

In a case that has shocked the local community of Billingham and the wider Teesside area, Jonathan Pennington has been sentenced to a significant prison term for a series of disturbing sexual offences involving a young girl. The court heard how Pennington, aged 26, exploited a vulnerable schoolgirl, grooming her over a period of time and engaging in inappropriate sexual activities. Despite multiple court orders and previous convictions, Pennington continued to breach legal restrictions, demonstrating a pattern of manipulative and predatory behavior.

According to the evidence presented at Teesside Crown Court, Pennington had a history of court-imposed penalties for his misconduct towards the girl. These included prison sentences and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that explicitly prohibited him from having any contact with children. Nevertheless, upon his release from custody, Pennington immediately violated these restrictions by initiating contact with the girl through text messages. In April 2014, he sent her a message reading, “Hey, how are you doing? Haven’t seen you for a while, darl,” despite the girl’s clear desire to distance herself from him and her inability to respond due to legal protections.

Prosecutor Shaun Dodds emphasized the manipulative nature of Pennington’s actions, describing how he engaged in grooming behaviors, encouraging the girl to visit his home repeatedly, and exerting a form of control over her. Despite being issued a “harbouring notice” instructing him to cease all contact, Pennington continued to breach this order. Police investigations revealed that he had kept the girl away from her guardians, with officers discovering her hiding on the porch roof of his residence after she had climbed out of his bedroom window. While in custody, Pennington further attempted to assert his influence over her by sending her a letter stating, “Remember you’re mine,” which he cunningly had relayed through an intermediary to avoid detection.

Further disturbing details emerged when police found the girl hiding at his home just a week after Pennington had narrowly avoided a custodial sentence for downloading child abuse images in June 2013. At that time, he had been given a suspended jail term and a SOPO that barred him from unsupervised contact with minors. His breach of these orders was evident when police found her on his property, and he was subsequently convicted of breaching the order, harboring the girl, and obstructing police officers. His criminal record includes nine counts of sexual activity with a child, to which he admitted.

During the court proceedings, Pennington’s defense argued that he believed his actions were consensual and that he had limitations, including a diagnosis of mild autism, which affected his understanding of the severity of his conduct. Judge Howard Crowson, however, was clear in his condemnation, stating, “She was vulnerable and needed support. There was no secret about her age. You simply took advantage of her immaturity. You encouraged her to believe you loved her.” The judge emphasized that Pennington’s behavior was exploitative rather than caring, and that the girl, now more mature, was able to recognize the manipulation she had endured.

As part of his sentence, Pennington was issued a lifelong registration on the sex offenders’ register. Additionally, he was subjected to a restraining order to keep him away from the girl and a new sexual harm prevention order that bans him from contact or employment involving girls under 16. His internet use is also restricted under this order, which is set to remain in effect indefinitely.

In a related case from December 2013, Pennington was spared immediate imprisonment after being found with images of child abuse, including some depicting children as young as six. However, just a week later, police found a 15-year-old girl hiding at his home, which led to his arrest for breaching the SOPO and his suspended sentence. The girl, who was under the care of local authorities, did not file a formal complaint, but police actions were prompted by reports from her care workers. Officers discovered her hiding in the base of a bed after searching Pennington’s residence, which had been previously warned to keep away from her.

Further violations occurred when Pennington sent letters of an intimate nature to the girl from prison, breaching the conditions of his SOPO. He pleaded guilty to multiple breaches, including harboring the girl and obstructing police. The court noted his diagnosis of autism and his limited understanding of the gravity of his actions. His previous sentence involved a five-month suspended term and probation, along with a requirement to undergo a Sex Offender’s Treatment Programme. Despite these measures, Pennington continued to breach orders, demonstrating a pattern of dangerous and deliberate misconduct.

Judge Bernard Gateshill sentenced him to 18 months in prison, highlighting that his breaches were persistent and that he posed a significant risk to young girls. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which the justice system views such violations, especially when they involve vulnerable minors and breaches of court-imposed restrictions. Pennington’s case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in managing offenders with complex needs and the importance of strict enforcement of protective orders.