Darryl Jenkins, aged 39 from Mevagissey, Cornwall, appeared at Truro Crown Court on 20 July 2021, where he pleaded guilty to attempting sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. The case stemmed from online interactions where Jenkins believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl, but the profile was actually a decoy set up by the Guardian Angels, an online child protection group.
Prosecutor Daniel Pawson-Pounds detailed how Jenkins first encountered the fake profile on the dating website Mingle2. The 'girl' informed him she was 14 years old, and Jenkins, who disclosed his true age of 37, responded by asking to move their conversation to WhatsApp and requesting her telephone number. Over a 13-day period, the communications began with what was described as 'classic grooming activity', where Jenkins built the confidence of the person he believed to be a child by inquiring about her daily events and interests.
However, within three or four days, the exchanges became increasingly sexualised. Jenkins expressed a desire to date her, repeatedly requested selfie photographs, and stated he liked 'cute little teens'. He sent naked photographs of himself, initially with his penis covered by bedding, and later an image of his erect penis. He also asked the 'girl' to send pictures of herself in pyjamas and made repeated requests for video chats, which were rebuffed. Jenkins instructed her on sexual acts, telling her he was aroused and wanted her to give him a 'helping hand', providing graphic details when asked. He sent videos of women performing oral sex on men, claiming it was to 'teach her' how to perform such acts when they met. Additionally, he attempted to incite her to masturbate and describe the activity to him, while urging her to keep their conversations secret, including deleting messages and images.
Jenkins invited the 'girl' to his home to sleep with him, suggesting she tell her mother she was staying with a friend. Despite growing suspicions that she might be a decoy—due to her refusal to video chat or send videos—his enthusiasm did not wane. He proposed she become his girlfriend and even suggested they shower together. The interactions only ceased when members of the Guardian Angels confronted Jenkins at his door in Mevagissey, leading to his arrest by Devon and Cornwall Police.
In defence, Jon Holmes highlighted the 20-month delay before the case reached court, noting the severe impact on Jenkins' life, including community backlash and isolation during lockdown. He mentioned Jenkins has two small children and sees them on a supervised basis with his ex-partner, emphasising that Jenkins did not seek to mitigate his behaviour. Judge Simon Carr acknowledged Jenkins' previous good character and early guilty plea but stressed the seriousness of the offences. 'You not only accepted [her age] but referred to it in the exchanges I've seen,' the judge stated, noting the 23-year age gap and the rapid escalation from grooming to explicit sexual content, including sending pornography and inciting masturbation.
Jenkins was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, deemed too serious for a suspended sentence. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order restricting his access to children and the internet. A mental health report indicated severe depression, anxiety, and distress, but the judge noted it did not mitigate the offences as it relied on self-reporting. The case was reported by Cornwall Live on 20 July 2021.