THORNABY PAEDOPHILE STEPHEN JARDINE USED INSTAGRAM TO GROOM YOUNG GIRLS

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Thornaby, Stephen Jardine, a 28-year-old carpet salesman with a dark history, was found guilty of using social media to sexually exploit and groom young girls as young as 10 years old. Jardine, who was a registered sex offender, had previously been banned from using the internet and contacting minors following convictions related to child abuse images. Despite these restrictions, he continued to engage in illicit activities online, posing as a 17-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy in order to lure vulnerable girls into his web of manipulation.

His activities came to light after a distressed 13-year-old girl from West Yorkshire reported him to a police inspector during a visit to her school. She handed over her phone, and during their communication, Jardine expressed a desire to have sex with her. This report prompted a thorough investigation, which ultimately traced Jardine back to his residence in Thornaby. Police officers arrived at his home early in the morning, at approximately 5:50 am on May 17, and discovered multiple electronic devices stored in his wardrobe.

Investigators uncovered that Jardine maintained a staggering 902 contacts on one of his Instagram accounts, many of whom were young girls. Among these contacts were children as young as 10 and 11 years old, whom he attempted to incite into sexual acts. Authorities also found child abuse images stored on a tablet computer in his possession. Prosecutor Richard Bennett explained that Jardine had created two separate Instagram accounts specifically to find girls for his own sexual gratification, claiming to have had contact with around 45 young girls in total.

Further details revealed that on May 15, Jardine was actively communicating on Instagram with a 10-year-old girl, attempting to persuade her into engaging in sexual activity. Just two days later, another girl contacted him, warning him to stop being a