Pensioner jailed for arranging sexual activity with 14-year-old.

A 74-year-old man has been jailed for two and a half years after a National Crime Agency investigation uncovered his attempt to meet a 14-year-old boy for the purpose of abuse.

John Harrison, from Tipton in the West Midlands, was initially investigated by the NCA in February 2021 after they discovered him sharing indecent images of children on a social media platform. Following his arrest and release on bail, further intelligence revealed that Harrison had resumed his illegal activities, this time engaging with a 14-year-old boy on the same platform.

NCA officers uncovered messages indicating Harrison's attempts to arrange sexual encounters with the child. A thorough examination of his devices revealed a significant collection of indecent images of children categorized A to C, totaling 482 Category A images, 960 Category B images, and 2330 Category C images.

Subsequently arrested and charged with offenses including making indecent images of children, possessing prohibited or extreme images, and arranging sexual activity with a child, Harrison pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court in March 2023. He was sentenced on June 26th to 30 months imprisonment.

It is important to note that Harrison already had a criminal record for similar offenses, having been convicted in 2014 for making and possessing indecent images of children. His recent sentence underscores the severity of his crimes and the unwavering efforts of the NCA to protect children from online exploitation.