South Shields offender thought he was sending X-rated pics to child

Jack Sjoland, 27, who has received a suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court after he was caught in a police sting when he sent X-rated online messages to whom he thought was a child on the Kik social media site but was actually an undercover cop. | Third party

placeholder image — Jack Sjoland, 27, who has received a suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court after he was caught in a police sting when he sent X-rated online messages to whom he thought was a child on the Kik social media site but was actually an undercover cop. | Third party

South Shields offender nabbed by police in a sting after sexual communications with what he thought was a child.

A man who thought he was sending X-rated online messages to a child had been caught in a police sting.

Jack Sjoland believed he was talking to a 13-year-old girl on the Kik social media site but was actually chatting to an undercover cop.

Newcastle Crown Court heard during a series of messages, on Kik and then Snapchat, in October and November 2023, Sjoland discussed sexual activity and sent and requested graphic images.

Requested graphic images

Prosecutor Cole Cockburn told the court: "She was a social media decoy profile used by an undercover law enforcement operative."

Mr Cockburn added: "She told him she was a 13-year-old girl from London and he replied 'ok'."

The court heard after some initial friendly interaction the conversations became sexual and Sjoland sent and requested images.

He was arrested in January 2024, at his then partner's address.

Sjoland, 27, of Downham Court, South Shields, South Tyneside, admitted attempted sexual communication with a child between October 23 2023 and November 4 2023.

Judge Edward Bindloss said: "You sent sexual images to her and requested sexual images from her. She turned out to be a decoy, not a 13-year-old girl and the police came and arrested you."

The court heard Sjoland has never been in trouble before, has committed no further offences and has family responsibilities.

He was sentenced to 11 months suspended for 18 months with rehabilitation and programme requirements.

Mairi Clancy, defending, said Sjoland has accepted responsibility for what he did, has a good prospect of rehabilitation and has now had his first experience of prison after spending some time on remand.