A solitary young man, Jarrod Hofmann, employed in the North East, far from home, sought companionship through a social media platform for adult dating and friendships, the court was informed.
However, when Jarrod Hofmann’s post on Wink received a response from an individual purporting to be a 14-year-old girl, he erroneously persisted in the dialogue, subsequently transitioning to sexual topics.
Durham Crown Court was informed that Jarrod Hofmann was oblivious to the fact that the individual claiming to be 14-year-old “Mollie” was, in reality, a decoy profile created by the paedophile-hunting Child Online Safety Team (COST).
Elisha Marsay, representing the prosecution, said the court that Hoffman, then 21 years old, promptly proposed transitioning the discussion to WhatsApp.
During the subsequent 18 days in March of the previous year, he persistently attempted to convince ‘Mollie’ to transmit private photographs of herself and informed her that he would guide her in executing a sexual act on herself.
Miss Marsay stated that the defendant also conversed about arranging a meeting with ‘Mollie’ and made travel plans for her to spend a night with him.
On March 26, 2023, members of COST approached Jarrod Hofmann at his residence in Annfield Plain, near Stanley. The police were called to the location to apprehend the defendant, who was discovered seated on the stairs while the paedophile hunters awaited at the entrance.
Subsequent to his detention, Jarrod Hofmann refrained from making any statements during police interrogations between March and August of the previous year.
However, when the matter was presented to magistrates in Newton Aycliffe on September 3 of this year, the 23-year-old defendant, currently residing with his family in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, admitted guilt to all four accusations against him.
He confessed to attempting to provoke a girl aged 13 to 15 to participate in sexual conduct, attempting to get an indecent image of a minor, attempting sexual communication with a kid, and attempting to meet a female under 16 after grooming.
The acts were categorised as “attempts” as no actual child was involved, unbeknownst to Jarrod Hofmann.
Stephen Ferns, in mitigation, stated that the defendant, who has no prior convictions, was employed by National Express in the North East at the time of the offences and experienced feelings of “loneliness and isolation.”
Mr. Ferns stated that Hofmann was not “actively seeking” a relationship with a minor and accessed an adult website “seeking a relationship with an adult.”
He stated that the prospect of it being a child then “presented itself.”
“He completely acknowledges his age and persists in the conversation on WhatsApp.”
He felt solitary and lonely, having recently relocated to a new place and not engaged in a romance for four years.
“He did not initially seek a relationship with a child, yet he fully acknowledges that he engaged in it when the opportunity arose.”
He informed the Probation Service that he possesses no sexual interest in children; nonetheless, he developed an interest in this female when the opportunity arose, thereafter exhibiting a sexual interest in her.
“His statements to the probation report author were made out of fear, shame, and confusion.”
Mr. Ferns stated that the defendant now acknowledges the necessity of confronting his detrimental fascination.
Following his imprisonment, Jarrod Hofmann lost his position with National Express and returned to his family residence in Gloucestershire, according to the lawyer.
He has since secured new job, initially working as a driver in the transport sector.
Mr. Ferns stated that if the offender were afforded a non-custodial term, he may collaborate with the Probation Service to further his rehabilitation.
Judge Nathan Adams stated that, after having “carefully considered” the appropriate sentencing, he was ultimately convinced to refrain from imposing an immediate prison term.
The judge stated that setting limits on the offender to avert a recurrence of his actions was “entirely necessary” in this instance.
Judge Adams imposed a three-year community order as an alternative to incarceration, requiring the offender to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, attend 40 rehabilitation activity days, and participate in 40 sessions of an accredited program, all supervised by the Probation Service.
He was also subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which includes a bar on any unsupervised contact with individuals under 18, and the obligation to register as a sex offender, both of which will be in effect for the next ten years.
Judge Adams informed Jarrod Hofmann that he was clearly stating the necessity of full compliance with the orders and the avoidance of any additional offences, or he would face the possibility of an initial time of jail.
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