MARK STEPHENS AND SHOCKING ATTEMPT TO MEET CHILD IN BLACKPOOL
A man with a troubling past as a convicted paedophile, Mark Stephens, has been sentenced to prison after undertaking a reckless and predatory journey from Blackpool to the North East with the intention of meeting a child for sexual purposes.Stephens traveled over 150 miles from his home on Shannon Street in Blackpool to Wallsend, North Tyneside, where he believed he was meeting a 10-year-old girl along with her mother.
Unbeknownst to him, the individual he had been communicating with was actually an undercover police officer operating as part of an extensive online child exploitation investigation.
Throughout his online exchanges, Stephens expressed disturbing and explicit intentions towards the young girl.
He not only made lewd comments but also offered a sum of £400 in exchange for spending the night with her, intending to record their encounter.
These messages, which revealed his clear intention to commit a sexual offence against a minor, prompted action from law enforcement authorities.
Northumbria Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) collaborated closely with Lancashire Police and the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NE ROCU) to track Stephens and plan his apprehension.
Their coordinated efforts culminated on April 12 last year, when Stephens arrived at Silverlink retail park, only to be intercepted and arrested by police officers.
During a search of his vehicle, officers found quantities of Viagra and a gift intended for a child, further signaling his predatory mindset.
Further investigations uncovered that Stephens was also under scrutiny from another police force.
The day before his trip to North Tyneside, he had unknowingly been communicating with an undercover officer as part of another ongoing inquiry.
During the course of this investigation, it was confirmed that Stephens had sent explicit messages intended for a minor, which contributed to his growing list of charges.
Subsequently, Stephens was formally charged with multiple serious offenses.
These included arranging a child sex offence, attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 for sexual activity, and making indecent images.
The following day, he appeared before North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to all charges.
His criminal case was further expanded upon when additional charges of attempting to communicate sexually with a child and breaching a sexual harm prevention order were added.
On March 30, Stephens was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court, receiving an eight-year custodial sentence.
An extended licence period of six years was also imposed, designed to monitor and restrict his activities post-release.
The court also issued a deprivation order for the vehicle he used in his attempt to meet the child.
This comprehensive legal action underscores the seriousness of his offences.
Commenting on the case, Detective Constable Rob Smoult from POLIT expressed his satisfaction with the outcome.
He emphasized the importance of their work in protecting vulnerable children from predators like Stephens.
“This is a great result which reinforces our commitment to protecting children from predators like Stephens.
He made his vile intentions very clear and the overwhelming evidence collated by the team ensured a swift charge and left him with no other option but to plead guilty at court,” he said.
He further explained that Stephens had embarked on a dangerous journey across the country to meet a minor, but thanks to the diligent efforts of law enforcement agencies working in partnership, they successfully prevented this potential harm.
The police continue to call on the public to remain vigilant and report concerns related to online child abuse or exploitation.
They urge anyone with pertinent information to contact authorities through their ‘Tell Us Something’ online portal or by calling 101, emphasizing that emergencies should always be reported by dialing 999.
