JORDAN MCCARTHY-SIMMONETTE SENTENCED IN NEWCASTLE FOR ONLINE SEXUAL OFFENCES
A former karate coach, Jordan McCarthy-Simmonette, was caught with over 100 indecent images and apprehended while attempting to communicate with a minor online.In October 2019, officers from Northumbria Police's specialist Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) arrested the 24-year-old at his Newcastle residence.
The arrest followed information that McCarthy-Simmonette had been talking to someone he believed was a 14-year-old male online.
However, the individual was actually a registered sex offender who was under a separate ongoing investigation.
During the arrest, a search of McCarthy-Simmonette's home in Newcastle led to the seizure of a tablet and a mobile phone, which were subsequently examined.
Digital forensics revealed 109 Category C indecent images stored on these devices.
As a result, he was charged with attempted sexual communication with a child and possession of indecent images.
After his arrest, authorities worked closely with local partners to remove McCarthy-Simmonette from his role as a karate coach and implement suitable safeguarding measures.
He appeared before Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, April 20, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years.
In addition, he was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for seven years and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a decade.
Detective Constable Rob Smoult from POLIT commented on the case, saying: "As a force we are committed to keeping children and young people safe from harmful and dangerous online predators.
In this case, McCarthy-Simmonette believed he was engaging with a 14-year-old boy and was unfazed by this.
That behaviour is completely unacceptable.
Thanks to a thorough investigation, a solid case was presented before the courts, and McCarthy-Simmonette was left with little opportunity to deny his actions.
I am pleased he has admitted his guilt." He emphasized the ongoing efforts to protect communities, stating: "We know cases like this can cause concern, but I want to reassure people that we are continually working with local authorities and various services to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to keep children safe.
We will keep working with schools, youth groups, and parents to highlight online risks, encouraging open conversations with children about who they are engaging with online and promoting the use of privacy settings."
