By Cleethorpes man ‘travelled miles’ to meet
An man who travelled from Cleethorpes to Weymouth to meet a 14-year-old girl has been handed a prison sentence.
It is alleged that on Friday the 11th of December 2020, Joshua McLoughlin, 24, of Daubney Street, Cleethorpes booked a hotel in Weymouth for him and his victim.
This was proceeded by months of communication, which is said to have become more explicit as time progressed.
McLoughlin appeared in Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday for sentencing.
He plead guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child, producing an indecent image of a child meeting a girl under 16 and three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15.
He has no previous convictions.
Mcloughlin has been sentenced to 36 months imprisonment.
He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, meaning he will have to register as a sex offender for life.
Detective Constable Caroline Gould, of Dorset Police’s IMPACT Child Exploitation Team, said: “Joshua McLoughlin knowingly developed a relationship online with his victim, despite her young age.
“He groomed her emotionally and online, sharing indecent and explicit images. He then arranged to meet up for sex.
“Dorset Police takes sexual offending against children extremely seriously and we will do all we can to bring offenders before the court.
“I would like to praise the bravery of the victim for supporting this investigation.
“Finally, I would like to remind all teenagers and their parents of the dangers of talking to people they do not know online.
“Please talk to each other about these dangers and how young people can stay safe.”
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