MARK CLEWLOW CAUGHT IN MIDDLESBROUGH GROOMING SCHEME BY POLICE
In a case that highlights the dangers of online grooming, Mark Clewlow, a 58-year-old man from Middlesbrough, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation after attempting to engage in sexual conversations with a supposed underage boy on a gay dating website.Unbeknownst to Clewlow, he was actually communicating with a police officer operating a fake profile.
The police set up this decoy profile between October 14 and October 19, 2018, as part of an undercover operation aimed at catching individuals seeking to exploit minors online.
Throughout the interaction, Clewlow expressed a desire to receive explicit photographs and even arranged to meet the supposed 14-year-old.
Despite the decoy repeatedly emphasizing that he was still in school and underage, Clewlow persisted in his pursuit.
He shared personal details such as his address, phone number, and email address, and the conversation was later transferred to WhatsApp, where the sexual nature of the dialogue continued.
Judge Jonathan Carroll presided over the case at Teesside Crown Court and addressed the court regarding the nature of the crime.
He explained that Clewlow had set up a profile on a website designed for gay men to meet each other, which he used to initiate contact with the decoy.
The judge pointed out that police had made it clear from the outset that the profile was not that of an 18-year-old but a 14-year-old boy, which should have been enough to deter any further engagement.
Despite this, Clewlow continued to message the decoy, forwarding his personal contact details and engaging in overtly sexual conversations.
An arrangement was made for a meeting, but when Clewlow arrived at the designated location, police officers intercepted him before any contact could be made.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Clewlow had struggled to be honest and open with probation officers, largely due to questions surrounding his own sexuality.
However, he has since acknowledged his actions.
As a result of his conduct, Clewlow was sentenced to 18 months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years.
He is required to complete 40 days of rehabilitation activities, which will be monitored over a six-month period.
Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender for the next ten years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order also lasting ten years.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect minors from exploitation, with police actively working to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to commit such crimes in Middlesbrough and beyond.
