MARK JONES, LIVERPOOL, SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL CHAT WITH CHILD

In June 2021, Mark Jones, a man from Liverpool, was involved in disturbing online conversations with a girl he believed was 30 years younger than himself. The 43-year-old father of three engaged in explicit sexual discussions with a girl he thought was 13, but who was actually an undercover police officer posing as "Izzy" on a dating website.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Jones, then residing in Netherton, Merseyside, initiated contact with the undercover officer on social networking site Fast Flirting on November 13, 2020. Prosecutor Rebecca Smith stated that Jones, using the username Jay33, asked for Izzy’s Facebook account and her age. She was 13 and from Nottinghamshire. He then asked what she looked like, whether she wanted to be friends, and if he was too old for her.

Jones requested her phone number, but also expressed concern about the possibility of getting into trouble by texting too much. The conversation then shifted to sexually explicit content in WhatsApp chats. Ms. Smith explained that Jones inquired about her body hair, her current relationship status, and whether she had a boyfriend. When Izzy mentioned she had an ex-boyfriend, Jones asked if they had any sexual activity.

He also asked about her breast size, what her mother might think about their conversations, and whether she would contact the police. The court was told that Jones claimed they could never meet in person to avoid getting into trouble but then posed a hypothetical question about what she would let him do if they did meet. He stated, "If we do anything, I will wear a condom if it goes that far."

Police arrested Jones at his home on December 7, seized his mobile phone, and recovered the WhatsApp chat history. Jones, now residing in Bootle, admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

In sentencing, Recorder Ian Unsworth, QC, ordered Jones to register as a sex offender and to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for seven years. The judge emphasized that Jones, "from the very outset," believed he was speaking with a 13-year-old and questioned her about her body, appearance, and sexual experiences.