JONATHAN WILKINS PLYMOUTH MAN CAUGHT TRYING TO GROOM 14-YEAR-OLD ON FACEBOOK

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Plymouth, a man named Jonathan Wilkins has been sentenced to prison after attempting to groom a 14-year-old girl he met on the social media platform Facebook. The incident was ultimately exposed when the teenager confided in her mother, prompting a sting operation that involved a retired police officer posing online as a 15-year-old girl to lure Wilkins into a trap.

According to the prosecution, led by Nick Lewin at Plymouth Crown Court, Wilkins had engaged in multiple conversations with the young girl on or before August 28, 2007. During these exchanges, Wilkins expressed a desire to meet her in person with the intent of having sexual relations. Court records reveal that he offered to pay her taxi fares to visit his home and explicitly stated his sexual intentions.

Further disturbing details emerged when Wilkins committed a lewd act on his webcam and sent the girl indecent photographs of himself. Despite her attempts to clarify her age by stating, “I am only 14,” Wilkins responded in a brazen manner, claiming, “Age is only a number.”

The situation escalated when the retired policeman, acting undercover as a 15-year-old girl, contacted Wilkins and received similar indecent invitations, confirming his predatory intentions. Wilkins, a mobile phone salesman with no prior criminal record or cautions, denied charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in a sexual act in the presence of a child, and attempting to meet a child for sexual purposes. However, after a trial, the jury found him guilty on all counts.

During the sentencing, Malcolm Clarke, representing Wilkins, maintained that his client still proclaimed his innocence but acknowledged that he had a problem that required intervention. The trial judge, Francis Gilbert QC, addressed Wilkins directly, stating that the conviction was based on very strong evidence. He dismissed Wilkins’ claim that the girl and her family had conspired against him, asserting instead that the family had done well to trap him.

Judge Gilbert sentenced Wilkins, who resides on Northumberland Terrace in West Hoe but previously lived in Mutley, to a total of two years in prison. Additionally, Wilkins was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years and was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for the same duration. The judge also disqualified him from engaging in any future unpaid or voluntary work involving children or vulnerable adults. As part of the court’s measures, Wilkins’ computer, mobile phone, and six SIM cards were confiscated to prevent further misuse.