An Ashington paedophile Benjamin Parr, who unknowingly engaged in explicit online discussions regarding child sexual abuse with an undercover officer, has been sentenced to imprisonment.
Benjamin Parr believed he was engaged in a disturbing interaction with an internet user named Dan, but he was, in fact, the target of an undercover police operation.
Prosecutor Rachael Glover informed Newcastle Crown Court that Parr initiated a dialogue with the officer via the Kik platform, within a group suspected to be associated with child exploitation, and they commenced exchanging private messages.
Over the course of four days of reprehensible conversation, Benjamin Parr admitted to “loving things he shouldn’t,” expressed a desire for a “trained” child, and claimed that his “eyes had only recently been opened” upon receiving an image of a girl aged seven or eight, which he found appealing.
Benjamin Parr transmitted three movies and one image depicting child abuse, including victims aged five to thirteen, along with a bestiality video to ‘Dan’ during discussions in April of the previous year.
During the police raid on his residence, they confiscated a mobile phone that included 21 indecent photographs, both static and dynamic, spanning all three levels of severity and depicting youngsters aged seven to twelve.
Benjamin Parr, 27, of Woodlands Road, Ashington, confessed to three offences: creating indecent photos of children, disseminating indecent images of children, and having extreme pornography.
During the punishment of 16 months of incarceration, Judge Edward Binloss stated: “You and Dan initiated communication via Kik, subsequently transitioning to private messages.”
“There were four days of direct discussions with this undercover police officer regarding child abuse and your sexual fantasies involving children.”
Benjamin Parr is required to register as a sex offender and comply with a sexual harm prevention order for a duration of ten years.
John Crawford, in mitigation, stated that Benjamin Parr had separated from his spouse and lost his employment.
He stated that his client would collaborate with the probation agency, asserting: “Work can be accomplished with him, and he is eager to engage in it.”
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