At Durham Crown Court, Jordan Retchless, a 27-year-old resident of Deneside, Lanchester, in County Durham, was sentenced for a series of sexual offences against a 13-year-old girl. Retchless, who was 26 at the time of the offences, initiated contact with the underage girl on Snapchat, falsely presenting himself as a 17-year-old boy. Despite the girl immediately disclosing her age, Retchless steered the conversation towards sexual topics, explicitly stating his desire to have sex with her and discussing plans to sneak her into his home past his parents.
To bolster his deception, Retchless sent the girl an image depicting a teenage boy performing a sex act on himself, aiming to convince her of his claimed age. The interactions, which occurred over a few weeks, caused significant psychological distress to both the girl and her mother, who described feeling 'haunted by fear' in an impact statement read by prosecutor Ian West. The mother noted the profound emotional toll the case had taken on her family, leaving them feeling 'unsafe, helpless and powerless'.
The mother's concerns about her daughter's internet use led her to attempt to intervene, but when the messaging persisted, police were notified. Officers arrested Retchless in December 2024 and seized his phone, uncovering images of extreme pornography. During the investigation, Retchless was subjected to a Sexual Risk Order to monitor his online activities. In January 2025, at a plea hearing, he admitted to charges of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to view sexual activity, and possession of extreme pornography.
In mitigation, defence barrister Dan Cordey argued that the incited sexual activity was purely Retchless's 'fantasy' with no intention of it occurring in reality. Cordey highlighted a Probation Service report describing Retchless as 'extremely immature', operating at a capacity far below his chronological age, with limited social networks and relationship history. He attributed the offences to an addiction to internet pornography that 'led him down a dark path'. Of previous good character, Retchless had complied with the Sexual Risk Order without further issues.
Recorder Geraldine Kelly acknowledged Retchless's social isolation and vulnerability but emphasised the medium risk of re-offending. Opting for a community-based approach with rehabilitative potential, she imposed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. Retchless was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, attend 35 rehabilitation activity sessions, and adhere to an 11pm to 7am curfew for three months. Additionally, a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order was issued, restricting his internet use and contact with children. He must register as a sex offender for ten years and is subject to a ten-year restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim. The case was reported by The Northern Echo, with court proceedings held at Durham Crown Court.