LIAM TURNER FROM DARLINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN TEESSIDE
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Darlington, Liam Turner, aged 29, was found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and illegal online communications with what he believed to be underage girls.The incidents took place over a span of four days, during which Turner used the social media platform Kik to contact two young girls, aged 12 and 13, with the apparent intent of sexual exploitation.
Unbeknownst to Turner, the individuals he was communicating with were actually undercover police officers posing as minors.
Despite this, Turner’s conversations quickly took a sexual turn, with the defendant encouraging the decoys to send him explicit images of themselves.
The court heard that Turner not only solicited such images but also sent a graphic image of his genitals to the girls, further demonstrating his predatory behavior.
Prosecutor Paul Abrahams detailed the extent of Turner's misconduct, stating that he had sexual communication with both decoys, asked them for sexually explicit photographs, and subsequently sent a picture of his penis.
The police investigation, which culminated in his arrest in September 2021, uncovered more disturbing evidence on his mobile device.
Among the images found was one classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of illegal content, along with 15 Category C images, which are also considered serious.
Following his arrest, Turner was charged with multiple offences, including two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, two counts of attempting to send sexual images, and possession of both Category A and C images.
He pleaded guilty to all charges during his court appearance at Teesside Crown Court.
Judge Paul Watson KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, presided over the case and delivered a stern judgment.
He emphasized that Turner was unaware that the individuals he was communicating with were actually police officers, not children.
The judge stated, “What you weren’t to know was that these children were not children but you were in communication with police officers posing as such.” He further condemned the defendant’s actions, asserting that each offence—attempted sexual communication with a child—was grave enough to warrant a custodial sentence.
However, in light of Turner's guilty plea and circumstances, the judge sentenced him to 12 months in prison, which was suspended for 18 months.
Additionally, Turner was ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activity, perform 150 hours of unpaid work, and was placed under a ten-year sexual harm prevention order.
He was also mandated to register as a sex offender for the same period, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.
