Parents get the power to tackle cybercrime

Oct 19 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

Youngsters targeted online

THE new course for parents comes after a spate of cases of vulnerable youngsters being targeted online in the region.

In July this year, divorcee Kevin Daley, 26, of Walker, Newcastle was jailed after he groomed a 14-year-old girl through the MSN internet messaging service. He even spent the night with the girl at his flat on one occasion, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Daley was jailed for 18 months after admitting sexual grooming.

In February, 35-year-old Lee Donaldson, of Fatfield, Washington, admitted six charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, at Newcastle Crown Court.

He also pleaded guilty to seven charges of making indecent photographs of a child, two more of distributing images, and five offences of possessing them.

He posed as a teenage boy online, making contact with six different girls and persuading them to perform sex acts on themselves.