MATTHEW JENART THORNABY'S HORRIFIC CRIMES AT MIDDLESBROUGH AND TEESSIDE

In September 2019, a disturbing case unfolded involving Matthew Jenart, a known sex offender from Thornaby, who was caught in a chilling online sting orchestrated by dedicated paedophile hunting groups including Guardians of the North, Decoys UK, and Dark Justice. The incident took place at Middlesbrough train station, where Jenart, aged 35, believed he was about to meet a 14-year-old girl for sexual activity in the station’s toilets. Unbeknownst to him, members of the vigilante groups had set up an undercover operation, exposing his intentions and leading to his arrest.

During the court proceedings at Teeside Crown Court, it was revealed that Jenart had been under the impression he was communicating with two 14-year-old girls and a 12-year-old girl. His conversations included highly inappropriate and predatory language, such as asking one girl what time her mother would be home and suggesting that “no underwear would make it easier” for their supposed meeting. These conversations were part of a series of online chats where Jenart displayed a disturbing pattern of grooming and sexual predation.

Jenart’s criminal history is extensive. In December 2015, he was sentenced to six and a half years in prison after admitting to eight sex offences, including attempting to incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity. Prior to that, in March 2013, he was given a community order, a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), and treatment requirements aimed at preventing contact with children. Despite these measures, Jenart continued to communicate with other paedophiles and share indecent images of children around the same period.

In the latest offences, Jenart pleaded guilty to facilitating a child sex offence, attempting to meet a child under 18 through sexual grooming, inciting two children into penetrative sexual activity, and breaching a sexual harm prevention order. Judge Deborah Sherwin condemned his actions, stating that Jenart had learned “nothing” from his previous imprisonment, and sentenced him to six years in prison.

Earlier, in March 2013, Jenart’s predatory behavior was further highlighted when he was caught grooming an 11-year-old girl on Facebook. His mother, acting as her daughter, uncovered his deceit and reported him. Jenart had posed as a 15-year-old boy, claiming to be still at school, and engaged in conversations filled with inappropriate propositions. The court heard how he asked the girl if she wanted “naked fun” and “naughty fun,” despite her being only 11. His attempts to deny or justify his actions were dismissed, and he was given a three-year community order, a five-year ban from working with children, and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

In November 2013, Jenart’s criminal activities escalated when he was caught with five mobile phones, one containing indecent images of children. He had also contacted a young mother and set up chat room accounts under false names, including “Jamie James,” to evade detection. Despite these violations, he was controversially spared jail time, with the court citing his low IQ and mental impairments as mitigating factors. However, this decision drew significant criticism from victims’ advocates and the public.

Throughout 2015, Jenart continued to breach his legal restrictions. A vigilant mother, who had taken over her daughter’s Facebook account, discovered his ongoing predatory behavior. She reported his attempts to solicit her daughter for sexual activity, which led to his arrest and subsequent court proceedings. During these incidents, Jenart admitted to making indecent photographs of children, inciting a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity, and breaching multiple court orders. His actions prompted the court to impose a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with supervision and mandatory participation in a treatment program.

Victims’ families and advocacy groups expressed outrage at the repeated leniency shown towards Jenart. The mother of one of his victims described her shock and disappointment that he had been given another chance after multiple breaches. Pete Saunders, chief executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, called the case an “outrage,” emphasizing the ongoing risk posed by individuals like Jenart. The case has also spurred discussions on internet safety, with the Prime Minister announcing plans for an international summit to combat online child abuse and efforts to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to track and apprehend offenders on the dark web.

Overall, the case of Matthew Jenart from Thornaby underscores the persistent dangers posed by convicted sex offenders who continue to target children online and offline. Despite previous convictions and legal restrictions, his repeated breaches highlight the need for more stringent measures and vigilant monitoring to protect vulnerable children from predators like him.