MARK THORNTON FROM DARLINGTON REPEATEDLY CAUGHT TRYING TO MEET UNDERAGE GIRLS IN DARLINGTON AND TEESSIDE
In December 2017, Mark Thornton, a resident of Darlington, found himself back behind bars after attempting to meet what he believed was a 14-year-old girl for sexual activity.This incident marked his second conviction related to child exploitation, highlighting a disturbing pattern of behavior that has persisted despite previous penalties.
Thornton, aged 51, had recently been released early from prison after serving approximately half of a two-year sentence.
His prior criminal record included being caught coercing young girls into meeting for sex, which culminated in his arrest in a Morrisons car park last year.
His earlier conviction in September 2016 involved explicit online chats with what he thought were two 13-year-old girls, with plans to meet one of them to take her virginity.
Following his release, Thornton resumed his attempts to contact underage girls through online platforms.
This time, he was more cautious, claiming to be scared of getting caught again.
He used the app 'Waplog,' which is marketed as a platform for adults to find local matches with similar interests, although it is accessible to those under 17.
Thornton believed he was communicating with a girl named Samantha, aged 14, but his conversations were monitored by the vigilante group Dark Justice, which had set up decoy profiles to catch predators.
Earlier on the day of his arrest, Thornton had tried to meet the girl at Darlington train station but became frightened and postponed the encounter.
Later that day, he was caught attempting to meet her at a Morrisons car park in Darlington, an operation carried out by Dark Justice.
The group reported that Thornton had messaged them first, revealing that he had not learned from his past mistakes.
His conversations included sexual language, and he expressed concern about being caught again, sharing details about his time in prison.
Thornton also made comments about spending Christmas alone, indicating a sense of loneliness, and then proceeded to call the decoy girl 'sexy' and 'beautiful.' At Teesside Crown Court, Thornton pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming activities, as well as two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
The court sentenced him to an additional two years in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years.
The judge emphasized Thornton’s lack of insight into his offending behavior, highlighting the ongoing risk he poses to children.
A spokesperson for Dark Justice commented on Thornton’s case, criticizing his repeated offenses.
They stated, “He messaged us first, he clearly hasn’t learnt his lesson.
He started talking in a sexual way but he was more cautious this time.
He was scared to get caught again, he was telling me about his time in prison.
He deserves everything he gets but he also didn’t receive any help in prison.
He has been given two years in prison again, it clearly isn’t working.
Come Christmas next year he’ll be out and back on the apps.
Who’s to say it won’t be a real child next time?
They should be given longer sentences so they can get help.” Thornton’s criminal history also includes a 2016 conviction when he was caught by online paedophile hunters.
During that case, he was found guilty of attempting to incite a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, including attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl to take her virginity.
He used social media profiles, including 'Jessie Amy Thompson' and 'ToonLass13' on Kik, to communicate with decoys, exchanging explicit messages and pictures.
His arrest followed his arrival at an Asda car park in Darlington, where he intended to meet the girl.
The court was told that Thornton had little insight into the severity of his actions, with the judge noting the risk he posed to children and the need for longer-term intervention.
