The Police has suddenly pledged to safeguard at-risk individuals from “sexual exploitation” following the sentencing of a Totton Paedophile security officer, Mark Mengham, for transmitting sexual photographs to a “13-year-old girl”.
Paedophile Mark Mengham, 60, of Alfred Close in Totton, received a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
A court examined how he had been communicating with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl on the smartphone application, Badoo.
Mark Mengham was then apprehended for transmitting sexual images and soliciting nude photographs of the girl, who was, in reality, a decoy profile.
Mark Mengham was mandated to complete 40 rehabilitation sessions, remit a victim surcharge and court costs, and register as a sex offender for the acts committed in December 2020 and January 2021.
Subsequent to the sentencing at Southampton Crown Court on Friday, law enforcement has pledged to persist in their efforts to safeguard vulnerable individuals.
Detective Constable Paul Hills stated: In a world where individuals can effortlessly communicate via various social platforms with unfamiliar persons both nationally and internationally, it is crucial for law enforcement to be equipped to investigate potential criminal offences arising from these interactions.
We want to safeguard vulnerable individuals, particularly young children, from potential sexual exploitation, and I trust that this conviction demonstrates our commitment to thoroughly examine such allegations.
We anticipate that today’s imprisonment underscores the perils associated with interacting with unfamiliar individuals on social media.
Mark Mengham was issued a sexual harm prevention order effective for the next five years.
This occurred following his guilty plea for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor and for attempting to get a minor to view an image of sexual conduct.
DC Hills stated: “This case serves as a reminder and an alert to parents of young children that the digital realm is not as it appears.”
“Individuals may initially appear to engage innocently in message exchanges; however, this can swiftly transform into conversations and messages that are frequently dark and sexualised.”
We urge any victims of child sexual abuse to come forward and communicate with us, regardless of when the incidents occurred.
Hampshire Constabulary regards allegations of this sort with utmost seriousness and consistently endeavours to hold accountable those who perpetrate these acts.
Individuals who have experienced child sexual abuse are urged to reach out to the police by dialling 101.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.