MARK PERRIN

CHESTER MAN SPARED JAIL AFTER SNAPCHAT MESSAGES WITH GIRL UNDER 16

A CHESTER man who tried to engage a girl under 16 years old in sexual communication has been spared a jail sentence.

Mark Perrin, 36, of Auckland Road, was handed a 10-month jail sentence – reduced from 15 months – at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 29.However, it was suspended for two years.He was in court after pleading guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child on Tuesday, July 1, but was adjourned until today for a pre-sentence report.Perrin admitted that he tried to enter into sexual communication with a girl under 16 through the social media app Snapchat between March 9-18, 2024.Prosecutor Lisa McGuire told magistrates that through the messages, there were ‘elements’ that suggested he was trying to engineer an opportunity to be alone with his victim and that his actions ‘bordered on stalking’.

This, said Mrs McGuire, included sending a picture of a location where she had just been.The prosecutor added that Perrin is on a crown court ordered suspended sentence for affray which ‘slightly overlapped’ with this offence.Mrs McGuire also explained the details of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) to be placed on the defendant which will run for five years.

Perrin will be barred from having a computer or device with internet capability unless registered with police.

She added: “It must retain and display internet use and doesn’t delete history and make it available to officers at immediate notice.

This will not apply to his workplace as long as police are notified.

He is not allowed to install software that will stop the display of internet history.”Other conditions announced included living or entering and remaining in a house with a female under 16 unless express permission of social services, among others has been obtained.She concluded that Perrin was ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation activity days including the Building Choices and Moving Forward programmes.

The SHPO was also confirmed, and Perrin will have to sign as a sex offender for the next 10 years.

The magistrates warned that “One step out of line, you will be going to prison and there will be no second chances,” emphasizing that any misconduct would result in imprisonment.

He also was ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £187 surcharge.