RYAN GRIFFITHS FROM NORTH SHIELDS FACES JAIL AFTER SLEAZY SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES TO 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In an unsettling case that has shocked the community of North Shields, Ryan Griffiths, a 37-year-old man, found himself facing serious legal consequences after engaging in inappropriate online communication with a girl he believed to be just 14 years old. The incident unfolded in January 2020, when Griffiths sent a friend request to a social media profile that was, in fact, a decoy set up by online paedophile hunters from the Leeds-based group, Fleetwood Enforcers.

According to court proceedings, Griffiths initiated contact by sending a message that read, 'Hi babe,' and shortly thereafter, he sent a graphic image of male genitals. At that point, Griffiths claimed he was unaware of the girl’s true age, despite the profile clearly displaying her age as 14. The decoy, acting as the young girl, informed Griffiths multiple times that she was only 14, but he continued to engage with her.

Despite being told her age, Griffiths persisted in the conversation, sending messages that referred to her as 'sexy' and explicitly stating, 'I would ride you.' These messages, which clearly indicated sexual intent, were subsequently handed over to the police. The authorities responded swiftly, leading to Griffiths’s arrest at his residence on Tynemouth Road, North Shields.

During the hearing at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, Griffiths pleaded guilty to attempting to engage a child in sexual communication. Prosecutor Ben Woodward detailed the case, emphasizing that Griffiths initially sent the explicit image without knowing the girl’s age, but the profile’s information made her age evident. Mr. Woodward noted, 'It does, however, state her age on her profile.'

Following the guilty plea, magistrates recognized that their sentencing powers were insufficient for the case and committed Griffiths to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing. He was granted unconditional bail and is scheduled to appear there on September 10. As part of his sentence, Griffiths has been ordered to complete a sex offenders group work programme, undertake 120 hours of unpaid work, and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, he is required to sign the sex offenders register for a specified period.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and online safety groups to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation. The community of North Shields remains vigilant as authorities continue to pursue justice in cases involving online predatory behavior.