MARK ARTHUR GROOMED TEESSIDE GIRLS ONLINE FROM GLEBE AND NORTON, JAILED FOR SIX YEARS

In May 2012, a man from Norton, identified as Mark Arthur, was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of grooming underage girls through online platforms. The case revealed a disturbing pattern of exploitation involving multiple teenage victims from the Teesside area, with Arthur operating from his residence in Glebe, Norton.

Over the course of his offending, Arthur, aged 31, contacted between 500 and 600 females via the internet, primarily using social media sites such as Facebook and MSN Messenger. Under false identities, often with fabricated names and ages, he targeted young girls, establishing trust through persistent messaging and manipulation. Prosecutor Harry Hadfield explained that Arthur used these platforms to send nearly 1,400 messages, often posing as a younger man to lure his victims.

He would obtain phone numbers from Facebook profiles, then send texts to further engage and manipulate the girls. His tactics included offering money, alcohol, and phone top-ups to persuade them to send indecent images of themselves. The court heard that Arthur took explicit photographs of himself engaging in sexual activities with at least one vulnerable girl and later threatened to distribute these images online, adding a layer of intimidation and coercion.

Despite his efforts to meet some of the girls in person, many failed to show up, and at least one girl refused his offer of £200 for sex. The grooming extended beyond online communication, as Arthur arranged meetings with some victims, promising gifts and money in exchange for sexual acts. These meetings, however, did not always materialize, and some victims felt ashamed, degraded, and embarrassed by their experiences.

One girl described her feelings, saying, “I feel used and dirty. I find it scary that someone can just talk to me over the internet and persuade me to do whatever he wanted.” Another expressed regret, noting her awareness of such activities through news reports, which made her feel stupid for falling prey to the manipulation.

Police investigations uncovered two mobile phones and a laptop belonging to Arthur, which contained indecent images of children. The authorities confirmed that Arthur, of Ashton Road, Glebe, Norton, admitted to 20 charges, including causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, meeting a child following sexual grooming, sexual activity with a child, and possessing indecent images of children. Despite his criminal conduct, Arthur was described as a man of previous good character.

During the court proceedings, defense lawyer Christopher Knox argued that the acts were consensual, with no coercion involved, and emphasized Arthur’s remorse. Knox described Arthur as a socially awkward individual, living at home with his parents, who were horrified by his actions. He stated that Arthur was “not terribly social,” capable of chatting online but gauche in face-to-face interactions, and insisted that he did not have a fascination with young children.

Judge Tony Briggs sentenced Arthur to six years in prison. Additionally, he imposed a sexual offences prevention order, banned him from working with children, and ordered his registration on the sex offenders’ register, which will be indefinite. The case highlighted the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation.