In 2019, the Offender Database reported that James Jones, then 39, of Lismore Park, Slough, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court. The amusement arcade employee was jailed for four years after targeting an 11-year-old boy through a theme park enthusiast group and sexually assaulting him in Crawley.
The court heard that James Jones groomed the victim via social media, primarily using Snapchat to send sexual content because the platform’s self-deleting messages made the communications harder to trace. In July 2017, Jones travelled from Slough to Crawley, staying in a hotel with the specific intent of meeting the child. During their meeting, Jones pulled the boy through a hedgerow into a secluded area where the sexual assault took place. After the victim managed to flee, Jones continued to harass him with apologies and offers of presents to prevent him from telling his parents.
The abuse was eventually uncovered two months later when the victim’s stepfather noticed him using his phone late at night and discovered sexual messages containing “code words and symbols.” Following a police investigation, James Jones was arrested at his place of work. Although he denied the allegations—claiming his interactions with the victim were entirely innocent—a jury found him guilty based on the evidence collated by Sussex Police.
Detective Constable Adam Tidy praised the bravery of the victim and two other children who gave evidence during the trial. At sentencing, Judge Christine Laing KC ordered James Jones to serve a four-year prison term.
In addition to his custodial sentence, James Jones was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was also imposed, which will come into effect upon his release, carrying strict conditions to monitor his behaviour and restrict his access to social media and contact with children.
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