JORDAN PARNHAM SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEX CRIMES IN BARNSEY AND PONTEFRACT

In a chilling case that has shocked the community of Barnsley and the surrounding areas, 23-year-old Jordan Parnham has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of heinous child sexual abuse crimes. The sentencing took place at Sheffield Crown Court in May 2019, where Judge Peter Kelson QC described the offences as some of the most serious he had ever encountered.

Parnham was convicted of filming himself raping a female toddler and subsequently sharing the video with individuals he connected with on the dark web. The court heard that Parnham’s actions involved not only the recording of these disturbing acts but also the distribution of the footage to like-minded individuals, further exacerbating the severity of his crimes. During the sentencing, Parnham was visibly distressed, holding his head in his hands and quietly sobbing as Judge Kelson handed down the sentence, which includes a minimum term of eight years before he can be considered for parole.

The judge emphasized the importance of understanding that the minimum term was merely the initial period Parnham would serve, and that the parole board would need to assess the ongoing risk he posed to the public, particularly to children. Judge Kelson stated, “For my part, I cannot envisage a date when you could be considered anything less than a significant danger to children,” underscoring the gravity of the case.

The criminal investigation was initiated after Parnham announced his intentions online, claiming he would live stream a video of himself abusing a toddler on January 30 of that year. This information was relayed to the National Crime Agency (NCA), which in turn alerted South Yorkshire Police (SYP). Authorities acted swiftly, executing a raid on Parnham’s residence in Barnsley on February 22, after successfully tracing his identity through the online alias he used.

During the police search, Parnham handed over his mobile phone, remarking, “There’s some disgusting stuff on here.” The devices contained a video of Parnham himself raping a female toddler, along with other child sexual abuse images. Although the Crown prosecutors, led by Simon Reevell, stated that they could not recover evidence of live streaming from the device, Parnham admitted to sharing the video with a group of individuals he met on the dark web.

Further investigations by SYP revealed that Parnham, who was residing at Kirkby Close, Pontefract at the time, had also committed a similar offence approximately twelve months prior, involving the rape of a young boy. Due to legal restrictions, neither victim can be publicly identified.

As Parnham was sentenced, Judge Kelson described the case as “bordering on being unimaginable,” emphasizing the extreme nature of his crimes. The judge stated, “It’s unthinkable… it’s so beyond the pale to have done that… to have filmed that,” highlighting the depravity involved. Parnham was also ordered to register as a sex offender and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, which will remain in effect until further court order.

This case has left a lasting impact on the community of Barnsley and Pontefract, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to protect vulnerable children from such heinous acts.