A former supermarket employee, Halton Paedophile John Robert Reynolds, was arrested outside a Carlisle hotel while seeking to meet someone he believed to be a 14-year-old child with whom he had participated in sexualised online conversations.
Business graduate and Paedophile John Robert Reynolds, 43, experienced what a judge characterised as a ‘spectacular fall from grace’ subsequent to the incident.
The defendant acknowledged culpability for the allegation of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a juvenile after the prosecution retracted an alternative charge of attempting to facilitate a child sex offence.
Brendan Burke, prosecuting at Carlisle Crown Court, indicated that John Robert Reynolds arrived in Carlisle on July 27 of the prior year and was lodging at the Halston Hotel on Warwick Road for employment-related reasons.
At that time, John Robert Reynolds had created a Grindr profile, via which he contacted an individual who explicitly represented himself as a 14-year-old boy. The defendant’s response was succinct: “That’s young.”
Mr. Burke stated that the defendant transmitted an explicit image of himself to the youngster early in the dialogue. However, John Robert Reynolds was inadvertently engaging with an undercover law enforcement officer.
Mr. Burke stated that the discourse rapidly became sexualised. John Robert Reynolds stated he was seeking amusement with a male individual.
John Robert Reynolds repeatedly requested the boy to send pictures during their talk.
The undercover officer informed John Robert Reynolds of his attraction to boys but stated that he had not engaged in any actions. The defendant enquired of the youngster regarding his desires for experimentation. Motivated by the defendant, they scheduled a meeting in Carlisle city centre.
When the youngster enquired of the defendant regarding his desires, he responded: “Whatever you wish; we shall see what transpires.” John Robert Reynolds enquired whether the youngster wished to accompany him to his hotel, describing it as pleasant.
They consented to convene outside the Hallmark Hotel adjacent to Carlisle train station, where police apprehended John Robert Reynolds at 8:40 PM.
When confronted, John Robert Reynolds asserted that he believed the individual he was conversing with was really 18, as this was the minimum age requirement for users of Grindr.
Jacob Dyer, representing the defence, stated that no actual kid was involved; yet, John Robert Reynolds acknowledged that he should not have participated in such correspondence. The barrister stated that this offence occurred subsequent to the dissolution of his marriage.
It was a tumultuous period for him, an exceedingly emotional time. He resigned from his position and was experiencing difficulties in managing his circumstances and achieving restful sleep. He utilised alcohol and sedatives to manage his situation and subsequently began using dating applications.
He was not in a favourable emotional state.
John Robert Reynolds, a man of commendable prior character, was a graduate in business management and had been employed for numerous years at Booths supermarket. Mr. Dyer stated that he is profoundly embarrassed by his behaviour.
The arrest and subsequent six-day detention significantly affected John Robert Reynolds, leading to a breakdown and a four-week hospitalisation. However, he had ceased alcohol consumption and was undergoing treatment with depressive medication.
John Robert Reynolds had unequivocally demonstrated contrition and will engage in rehabilitation.
Judge Guy Mathieson informed John Robert Reynolds that he has no prior convictions and a commendable employment history. Having you standing before this court is a remarkable decline in status.
The judge acknowledged that John Robert Reynolds was experiencing a substantial mental crisis and that multiple causes contributed to his criminal behaviour. The judge stated, “I completely reject the notion that you ever misinterpreted the nature of these discussions with this individual.”
You could hardly have overlooked the indication that this individual was underage.
Nevertheless, there had been a continual effort to engage in sexual communication. There is unequivocal certainty that you ventured out to encounter what you believed to be an underage kid outside Carlisle train station.
The court characterised that behaviour as ‘horrendous’. Judge Mathieson stated that John Robert Reynolds should recognise the lesson learnt from his brief incarceration and comprehend how near he was to imprisonment.
John Robert Reynolds handed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, mandating that the offender complete an accredited treatment program.
John Robert Reynolds, from St Winifreds Park, Halton, Lancashire, will be listed on the Sex Offender Register for ten years and will be subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order.
He is required to accomplish 20 rehabilitative activity days.
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