MARK GREEN FROM TAMPWORTH SENTENCED FOR CHILD GROOMING AND INDECENT IMAGES

In July 2009, a significant case of online child exploitation unfolded in Staffordshire, involving Mark Green, a 46-year-old resident of Tamworth. Green was convicted of grooming a 14-year-old girl through internet communications and possessing a substantial collection of indecent images of children. The court heard that Green used the MSN social network to contact the young girl, pretending to be a 17-year-old boy in order to establish a false sense of familiarity and trust.

Green’s manipulative tactics included convincing the girl to send nude webcam photographs of herself. He maintained the deception by hiding his true identity and carefully avoiding showing his own face on camera. The girl’s mother played a crucial role in exposing Green’s scheme. She entered the chat-room, posing as her daughter, and revealed to Green that her daughter was only 14 years old. Despite this, Green continued the conversation, showing a disturbing disregard for the girl’s age and safety.

Following this, the mother contacted Green via his mobile phone and subsequently alerted the police. Law enforcement officials acted swiftly, arresting Green at his home in Ivatt, Glascote Heath, on May 27 of the previous year. Prior to his arrest, Green attempted to delete incriminating evidence from his computer by using software designed to erase videos. However, investigators discovered that the first frame of each video remained, providing crucial evidence of his activities.

During the trial at Stafford Crown Court, it was revealed that Green possessed 104 indecent images of children, some of which were classified as among the most severe forms of child abuse. The court also learned that Green had a prior conviction dating back to 1988 for unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl, when he was in his mid-20s, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior.

In a victim impact statement, the girl, who cannot be named due to court restrictions, expressed her regret for her naivety and shared her feelings of being 'dirty and violated.' She emphasized the importance of internet safety and the need for vigilance when communicating online.

Green’s defense, represented by Mr. Stefan Kolodynski, argued that Green was not a predatory individual but a former soldier who did not request to meet the girl in person nor distribute her images. The prosecution, led by Mr. Pat Sullivan, highlighted Green’s ongoing sexual interest in children and his use of online platforms to exploit vulnerable minors.

Judge Paul Glenn described Green as 'cunning and devious,' condemning his actions and emphasizing the dangers posed by such online predators. Green was sentenced to a total of 16 months in prison for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and for possessing indecent images of children, with the judge noting the serious nature of his offenses and his prior criminal history.