Jordan Ashworth

A 27-year-old man from south Bradford, Jordan Ashworth, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court for sexual communications with a child and possession of indecent images of a child. The case came to light after the victim's mother discovered explicit messages on her child's phone and contacted the police.

The offending began when Ashworth and the victim, a child, connected through an online Playstation gaming group. Their interactions soon moved to Snapchat, where Ashworth sent messages expressing affection, such as 'You're all I can think about,' and provided counsel on puberty-related matters. Prosecuting barrister Dave Mackay informed the court that these conversations escalated to explicit exchanges over a two-month period.

Upon discovering the messages, the victim's mother promptly rang the police, leading to Ashworth's arrest the following day. His phone was seized, revealing the indecent images. Initially, Ashworth claimed the messages were sent 'in error.' The victim was described in court as still upset and confused, having become more isolated as a result of the incident. In a statement read out during the hearing, the mother expressed that the bond with her child had been 'taken from her' and voiced her dissatisfaction with the sentencing outcome, stating, 'I am not happy with the outcome. I never thought in a million years this would have happened to my child. I feel he should have gone to prison, so I could tell my child what he did to you was wrong.'

Defending barrister Camille argued that Ashworth had 'grown up a lot' and re-educated himself since the offences, though acknowledged he still had work to do. His Honour Judge Colin Burn imposed a 10-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, along with requirements for 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 180 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, Ashworth received a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and a 10-year restraining order.

The case was reported by the Telegraph & Argus, highlighting the mother's upset over the decision to avoid immediate jail time for such serious sexual offences against a child.