Jason Crookes, of Windmill Way, East Harling, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday, where he admitted:
- Two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
- One count of attempting to cause or incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
The offences took place in July 2023 and February 2024.
Crown Court Hears Details of the Offences
The court was told Crookes thought he was speaking online to two girls under 16 but was in fact communicating with adult decoys working alongside paedophile hunter groups, who later reported him to police.
In the first incident, Crookes believed he was chatting with a 15-year-old girl and falsely claimed to be the same age. He made his sexual intentions clear before being arrested.
After being released under investigation, he committed further offences six months later when he thought he was talking to a 14-year-old girl. Crookes initially said he was 13, later admitting he was 22, and pressured the decoy into sexual acts and requested explicit images.
Police were alerted, and Crookes was arrested for a second time.
Judge Recognises Defendant’s Vulnerability
Oliver Haswell, defending, told the court that Crookes faced significant educational and mental health challenges, describing him as “incredibly vulnerable” and “naive.”
Mr Haswell explained that Crookes had been bullied throughout school, had a low cognitive ability, and was “petrified” of going to prison, adding:
“He simply wouldn’t cope in custody.”
Recorder Peter Guest acknowledged Crookes’ “naivety” and “vulnerability,” noting that he had no previous convictions and had not offended since.
The judge sentenced Crookes to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months, and warned:
“This is your chance.”
Sexual Harm Prevention Order Imposed
In addition to the suspended sentence, Crookes was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) lasting 10 years. He has also been placed on the sex offenders’ register for the same period.
Recorder Guest highlighted that while the offences were serious, Crookes’ mental health issues, educational challenges, and previous good character justified a suspended sentence rather than immediate imprisonment.
