A South Shields man who initially received a suspended sentence for arranging to meet a child for sex has been jailed following a successful appeal. Jake Dodsworth, 25, was handed a new sentence of three years' imprisonment and a two-year extended licence at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Friday.
Dodsworth had earlier been sentenced to three years suspended for two years, with rehabilitation and other requirements, after pleading guilty to arranging the commission of a child for sex and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
Investigation and Arrest
Dodsworth was arrested at his home on Harton Lane in South Shields in April last year. The arrest followed online conversations in which he discussed a date, time and meeting place, and exchanged sexually graphic messages and images with a child.
Unbeknownst to Dodsworth, he was actually communicating with an officer from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) conducting an investigation. He also admitted making indecent images of a child after Category A images were found on his mobile phone.
Appeal and Sentencing
Following the appeal, Dodsworth's suspended sentence was reviewed and replaced with the custodial term. NEROCU Detective Constable Lee Robertson said: "This has been a fantastic result following a complex investigation and appeal. Thankfully, Dodsworth is now behind bars and no longer a danger to children."
Robertson added: "Under Operational Sentinel, we will continue to work with our partners to tackle online child abuse and sexual exploitation and would urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of offending, or has concerns about someone’s behaviour, to come forward and talk to police."
Anyone with concerns about child abuse or wanting to report a crime can contact their local police force via their website or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
