MARK JENKINS FROM DUNMOW CAUGHT TRYING TO MEET 15-YEAR-OLD BOY IN EPPING

In November 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Mark Jenkins, a resident of Dunmow, who was caught attempting to meet a minor under the false pretense of engaging in sexual activity. Jenkins, a 43-year-old man, was lured into a trap set by a dedicated paedophile hunter, who used a decoy profile to expose his intentions.

Jenkins initiated contact with what he believed was a teenage boy on the popular dating application Grindr. His chosen profile was named 'Now,' which was actually a fake account created by the hunter to catch predators. The decoy profile used a stock photo of a young boy and claimed to be 15 years old. Despite being informed of the decoy's age, Jenkins continued the conversation, showing no hesitation in pursuing the encounter.

The interactions between Jenkins and the decoy quickly escalated. Jenkins was told that the 'boy' was only 15, but this did not deter him. The conversations included explicit language and sexual propositions. Jenkins even suggested meeting at his workplace in High Street, Epping, during his lunch break, indicating a desire to engage in sexual acts in the stockroom of his place of employment. He provided detailed instructions on how the decoy could access the building and even sent photographs of himself, including images of his lower body dressed in underwear.

As the communication progressed, Jenkins shared his location and expressed his willingness to meet. The predator's intentions became clear when he asked the decoy to come to see him, believing the minor lived above a shop on High Street. The decoy, acting on behalf of the paedophile hunter, contacted police and arranged to meet Jenkins near his workplace. The hunter also provided authorities with screenshots of the messages and photographs Jenkins had sent.

When police arrived at Jenkins' place of work, they identified him through the evidence provided. Jenkins was asked to hand over his mobile phone, but he initially refused, reaching into a cupboard as officers approached. The officers quickly apprehended him, seizing his phone and arresting him on the spot. Jenkins was taken to Harlow police station for questioning.

While in custody, Jenkins made two phone calls. During the first, he attempted to downplay the situation, claiming that the messages were harmless and 'nothing.' However, in a subsequent call to his father, officers overheard Jenkins admitting, 'I was talking to a boy, he was underage.'

Judge David Turner QC presided over the case and delivered the sentence. He explained to Jenkins that he had been in dialogue with someone he believed was a minor, but in reality, he was communicating with a paedophile hunter. The judge highlighted that Jenkins had shared his location and exchanged photographs, although not highly explicit, and acknowledged that Jenkins did not expect the decoy to actually arrive.

Jenkins, of Bannister Close, Dunmow, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was convicted of attempting to meet a male under 16 for sexual purposes following grooming. Additionally, he was ordered to participate in the Horizon programme for up to 35 sessions, complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities, and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years, which prohibits any breaches. Jenkins was also required to register as a sex offender for ten years. The court ordered the destruction of his mobile phone and mandated that he pay £200 in prosecution costs within six weeks.