A Darlington man has been sentenced for sending sexually explicit messages to a teenager, sparking outrage and legal action.
Darlington: So, there’s this guy, James Webster, who really crossed the line. Over three weeks, he sent some seriously disturbing messages to a young girl, sharing his sexual fantasies. Yikes!
It all came to light at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court. The 59-year-old was arrested after his behavior was reported to the police. Can you imagine the shock?
As he left the courtroom, a family member of the girl called him a ‘paedo.’ That says it all, right? The prosecutor, Stephen Davies, revealed that Webster even told the girl to block him, knowing he was in the wrong, but he just couldn’t stop himself.
In one of his messages, he mentioned he should turn himself in because he knew he was a pervert. It’s just mind-boggling how he thought that was okay.
He confessed to thinking about her in her underwear and even expressed a desire to have sex with her. When the police caught up with him, he initially denied it was for his own gratification. Really?
Webster, who used to live in Darlington, pleaded guilty to sexual communication with a child. His lawyer mentioned that he lost his job of 33 years and his marriage fell apart because of this mess.
She said he was ashamed and wanted to apologize for his actions. The judge, Steven Hood, gave him a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, but warned him that he’d go straight to jail if he messed up again.
He also had to attend 40 rehabilitation days, do 100 hours of unpaid work, and sign the sex offenders’ register for seven years. Plus, he has to pay the girl £150 in compensation. It’s a tough lesson, but hopefully, he’ll think twice before doing something like this again.
