MARK JACKSON FROM DURHAM CAUGHT IN BOLD ONLINE CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN BOLTON AND BIRMINGHAM

In August 2021, a disturbing case involving a known sex offender from Durham, Mark Jackson, came to light, revealing a pattern of grooming, abduction, and online predatory behavior targeting minors. Jackson, aged 38, has a troubling history of criminal activity related to child exploitation, which has culminated in multiple convictions and ongoing investigations.

Jackson’s criminal record includes a significant conviction from 2015, when he was sentenced to 32 months in prison for luring a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old friend to a hotel in Birmingham. The incident began when Jackson identified the younger victim through Facebook, selecting him as a target for his predatory intentions. He arranged to meet the boy at a local Morrison’s store in Bolton, where he initially made contact. Subsequently, Jackson organized a trip to Birmingham, where he took the two boys to a Travelodge in Yardley. During this stay, Jackson engaged in inappropriate behavior, including attempting to grope the younger boy and cuddling the older one. The boys were later reported missing, leading authorities to track them down at the hotel, where police found condoms in Jackson’s vehicle, indicating further concerns about his intentions.

Jackson’s actions led to a child abduction charge, and he was sentenced by Bolton Crown Court to two years and eight months in prison. The court also imposed a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), restricting his contact with individuals under 16. The judge described Jackson’s behavior as sexually motivated and noted the vulnerability of his young victims.

However, Jackson’s criminal activities did not cease with this conviction. Earlier this year, Durham Crown Court heard how Jackson engaged in online communications with a police decoy profile named ‘Connor,’ purportedly a 12-year-old boy from Carlisle. Prosecutor Omar Ahmad detailed how Jackson exchanged regular messages with ‘Connor’ via Skype Messenger, discussing intimate topics, sexual encounters, and even sending graphic images of himself. Jackson suggested he could meet ‘Connor’ or have him visit from Carlisle, indicating a clear intent to pursue a sexual relationship with a minor.

Further investigation revealed Jackson’s computer and memory stick contained 32 indecent images of children, some as young as five years old. These findings were uncovered during a search of his residence, which was conducted after the online chats came to light. Jackson admitted to breaching the SHPO, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and making indecent images of children. He pleaded guilty to these charges and was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison by Recorder Jonathan Sandiford.

Jackson’s criminal conduct underscores a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior, both online and offline. His actions have caused significant concern among law enforcement and child protection agencies, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by individuals with a history of such offenses. His case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and robust legal measures to protect vulnerable minors from exploitation and abuse.