'Manipulative' Snapchat predator had 'massive' effect on 15-year-old schoolboy

A 'manipulative' pervert who sent sexually explicit messages to a schoolboy has been jailed for two and a half years.

Jack Box's 15-year-old victim told his shocked mum about the message and she managed to take a screenshot and reported the 22-year-old to police. Prosecutor David Bennett said the 15-year-old boy was on Snapchat at 9pm on December 2 when he received a comment from the defendant.

Mr Bennett said: "Not long after, the defendant asked the boy what he looked like. He unfollowed the defendant and immediately told his mum about the message. The defendant was re-added by the boy and the conversation continued.

"The defendant asked him what he looked like and asked him for pictures. The defendant sent two pictures. The boy asked the defendant how old he was. He said 12, then 16. Then he said he was 17. The defendant continued to communicate. He said the boy was fit. The defendant asked, 'Shall we just s**g. May as well just f***'. The boy told the defendant his age."

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that even with this knowledge the defendant sent an inappropriate message, which the boy's mother took a screenshot of. He was arrested and officers examined his phone and discovered he had distributed an indecent image of a child.

He produced a pink and advised police that it was his current phone. But his current phone was found under a mattress. Mr Bennett said the phone contained a small number of indecent images of children and the search term 'paedo'.

A further examination showed the defendant had distributed a category A indecent images of a child. In statements read to the court, the boy's parents said the victim was fearful of people finding out and of people questioning his sexuality. He now becomes frustrated. It has had a 'massive' effect on him. His mum feels the defendant is manipulative and dangerous.

Box, of Jack Ashley Court, Fenton, pleaded guilty to distributing an indecent image of a child and sexual communication with a child. The court heard Box has previous convictions for sexually assaulting a child.

Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said Box's mum died when he was aged 17 and he has suffered from anxiety and depression. Mr Muldoon said: "He is ashamed of what happened. He knows it is going to be immediate custody. He has relevant previous convictions and he was subject to a community order at the time. On his release he will go back into the community, comply with licence and try to move forward with his life without re-offending."

Judge Robert Brown said: "Those who distribute class A material are fuelling the market. I am satisfied there is no other option but immediate custody." Box was placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.