In 2021, Ian Kerr Mason, a then 49-year-old man from West Cumbria, was jailed after travelling across the country to meet what he believed was a 14-year-old girl for sexual activity.
Ian Kerr Mason, formerly of Princes Street, Cleator Moor, and Maryport Court, Carlisle, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court to 40 months in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of attempting to lure 14-year-old girls into sexual activity. The court heard that in 2019, Mason engaged in explicit online communications, sent pornographic videos, and offered money for sexual favours to accounts he believed belonged to 14-year-old girls. In reality, the profiles were decoys operated by online child protection groups, including the Online Child Safety Team and the Scottish Wolf Pack.
Mason drove from West Cumbria to a supermarket car park in Gateshead, expecting to meet one of the children. Upon arrival, he was confronted by volunteers who alerted law enforcement officers. Police searched his vehicle and seized £100 in cash along with items prepared for sexual activity. Judge Nicholas Barker highlighted the planned nature of the exploitation and Mason’s clear intent to commit child sexual abuse before handing down the 40-month custodial term.
In addition to his custodial sentence, Mason was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
He was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to ensure strict ongoing monitoring of his digital activities, internet access, and movements following his release.
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