KIERAN CLOUGH'S CRIMINAL REIGN IN CHESTER-LE-STREET: SEX OFFENDER'S REPEATED OFFENSES AND COURT BATTLE
| Red Rose Database
Chester-Le-Street Sexual Abuser
In October 2014, Kieran Clough, a resident of Chester-Le-Street, found himself back in the spotlight of the criminal justice system after breaching a court-imposed order designed to restrict his online activities. The breach involved him making contact with a 14-year-old girl via social media, under the false identity of ‘Bella Swinton’.
Clough’s actions were a blatant violation of the sexual offences prevention order (Sopo) that had been issued against him in September 2013 at Newcastle Crown Court. This order was part of the consequences of his previous conviction for the sexual grooming of a 15-year-old girl. Despite the restrictions, Clough managed to contact the young girl through the internet, exchanged indecent messages, and even arranged to meet her in person.
The incident escalated when Clough was intercepted en route to a second meeting with the girl, an encounter he intended to turn into a sexual act. The girl’s mother, suspicious of her daughter’s online interactions, discovered a message from Clough and promptly alerted the police. This intervention prevented what could have been a further criminal offense.
Durham Crown Court heard that, despite being under the supervision of a three-year community order and the Sopo, Clough continued to engage in illegal online contact. In August, he used social media to reach out to a 14-year-old girl, adopting the alias ‘Bella Swinton’. During their exchanges, Clough claimed to know the girl and asked her to send a photograph of her bedroom, ostensibly to confirm she was alone. Katherine Dunn, prosecuting, explained that after two weeks of messaging, Clough revealed that ‘Bella’ was actually a boy and instructed the girl to delete their conversations.
The young girl, concerned, asked if Clough was “that paedo arrested last year,” to which he admitted it was “a mistake.” The girl then informed her mother, leading to police involvement. Clough was arrested but refused to provide passwords for his phone and computer, and he declined to answer questions during police interviews. Prosecutors emphasized that Clough’s actions were deliberate, targeting a minor and knowingly flouting the court’s restrictions.
Clough, aged 24 and from Wynyard, Chester-Le-Street, has been in custody since his arrest on August 11. During the hearing, Tony Davis, representing Clough, acknowledged that the original offense was more serious but pointed out that Clough’s current behavior had resulted in his detention for over two months. Davis also highlighted Clough’s hearing impairment, which necessitated lip reading and may have contributed to his social immaturity. He suggested that Clough’s preoccupation with contacting underage girls stemmed from difficulties in forming relationships with peers his own age.
Recorder Jeremy Hill-Baker addressed the court, stating that given Clough’s time in custody, he would impose a three-year community supervision order. This order includes mandatory participation in intensive sex offender treatment programs. Additionally, Clough was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and to adhere to a new Sopo, also for five years.
In a related case from October 2013, Clough’s online activities had already drawn police attention. His victim’s mother had discovered his Facebook account, where he was grooming her 15-year-old daughter. Clough had already met the girl once and was sending explicit messages through the social networking site. Concerned, the mother warned Clough to stay away, but he continued his pursuit, persuading the girl to meet him again. Unbeknownst to Clough, the mother was monitoring the messages and alerted the authorities.
Police intercepted Clough as he was heading to meet the girl, who he intended to have sex with. A search of his vehicle uncovered a book on sex toys and a knuckle duster. Further investigation of his computer revealed over 900 images of child pornography and seven movies. Clough admitted to charges of grooming, possessing indecent images of children, and carrying offensive weapons.
The court heard that the mother had accessed her daughter’s Facebook account in May of the previous year and found explicit messages from Clough. She sent a warning message to him from the account, stating, “I’m ringing the police now and reporting you for picking young girls up and asking them for sex, you pervert.” Despite this, Clough continued his online campaign, and police arrested him in a car park where he was waiting to meet the girl.
Judge Penny Moreland sentenced Clough to a three-year community order, which includes registration on the Sex Offenders’ Register and a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order. The judge expressed concern that Clough’s initial intent was to engage in sexual activity with the girl, even if non-consensual offenses were not ultimately committed. Clough’s actions and the evidence presented underscored the ongoing threat he posed, leading to these stringent court measures.
Clough’s actions were a blatant violation of the sexual offences prevention order (Sopo) that had been issued against him in September 2013 at Newcastle Crown Court. This order was part of the consequences of his previous conviction for the sexual grooming of a 15-year-old girl. Despite the restrictions, Clough managed to contact the young girl through the internet, exchanged indecent messages, and even arranged to meet her in person.
The incident escalated when Clough was intercepted en route to a second meeting with the girl, an encounter he intended to turn into a sexual act. The girl’s mother, suspicious of her daughter’s online interactions, discovered a message from Clough and promptly alerted the police. This intervention prevented what could have been a further criminal offense.
Durham Crown Court heard that, despite being under the supervision of a three-year community order and the Sopo, Clough continued to engage in illegal online contact. In August, he used social media to reach out to a 14-year-old girl, adopting the alias ‘Bella Swinton’. During their exchanges, Clough claimed to know the girl and asked her to send a photograph of her bedroom, ostensibly to confirm she was alone. Katherine Dunn, prosecuting, explained that after two weeks of messaging, Clough revealed that ‘Bella’ was actually a boy and instructed the girl to delete their conversations.
The young girl, concerned, asked if Clough was “that paedo arrested last year,” to which he admitted it was “a mistake.” The girl then informed her mother, leading to police involvement. Clough was arrested but refused to provide passwords for his phone and computer, and he declined to answer questions during police interviews. Prosecutors emphasized that Clough’s actions were deliberate, targeting a minor and knowingly flouting the court’s restrictions.
Clough, aged 24 and from Wynyard, Chester-Le-Street, has been in custody since his arrest on August 11. During the hearing, Tony Davis, representing Clough, acknowledged that the original offense was more serious but pointed out that Clough’s current behavior had resulted in his detention for over two months. Davis also highlighted Clough’s hearing impairment, which necessitated lip reading and may have contributed to his social immaturity. He suggested that Clough’s preoccupation with contacting underage girls stemmed from difficulties in forming relationships with peers his own age.
Recorder Jeremy Hill-Baker addressed the court, stating that given Clough’s time in custody, he would impose a three-year community supervision order. This order includes mandatory participation in intensive sex offender treatment programs. Additionally, Clough was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and to adhere to a new Sopo, also for five years.
In a related case from October 2013, Clough’s online activities had already drawn police attention. His victim’s mother had discovered his Facebook account, where he was grooming her 15-year-old daughter. Clough had already met the girl once and was sending explicit messages through the social networking site. Concerned, the mother warned Clough to stay away, but he continued his pursuit, persuading the girl to meet him again. Unbeknownst to Clough, the mother was monitoring the messages and alerted the authorities.
Police intercepted Clough as he was heading to meet the girl, who he intended to have sex with. A search of his vehicle uncovered a book on sex toys and a knuckle duster. Further investigation of his computer revealed over 900 images of child pornography and seven movies. Clough admitted to charges of grooming, possessing indecent images of children, and carrying offensive weapons.
The court heard that the mother had accessed her daughter’s Facebook account in May of the previous year and found explicit messages from Clough. She sent a warning message to him from the account, stating, “I’m ringing the police now and reporting you for picking young girls up and asking them for sex, you pervert.” Despite this, Clough continued his online campaign, and police arrested him in a car park where he was waiting to meet the girl.
Judge Penny Moreland sentenced Clough to a three-year community order, which includes registration on the Sex Offenders’ Register and a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order. The judge expressed concern that Clough’s initial intent was to engage in sexual activity with the girl, even if non-consensual offenses were not ultimately committed. Clough’s actions and the evidence presented underscored the ongoing threat he posed, leading to these stringent court measures.