A paedophile, Luke Ovington, has been incarcerated for engaging in sexual conversations online with a 13-year-old girl, during which he proposed to pay her “a grand” for photographs of herself in her knickers.
The three-day correspondence with the youngster in September caused 28-year-old Luke Ovington to violate both a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a suspended prison term issued in July of the previous year for identical conduct.
Luke Ovington had previously appeared before the court for minor violations of the order, for which he received community sentences in November of the previous year; however, his fortune diminished following his arrest for his most recent offence.
Durham Crown Court was informed that Luke Ovington was sentenced to ten months in prison, suspended for two years, in July of the previous year, for engaging in internet sexualised communications with a 12-year-old girl.
He was also subjected to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), prohibiting contact with minor girls and imposing restrictions on his Internet usage, in addition to being registered as a sex offender.
Philip Morley, representing the prosecution, stated that despite the prohibitions and the suspended sentence looming over him, Luke Ovington conversed with a female kid on Snapchat for three days in September.
Mr. Morley stated that, in contrast to several online “stings,” this involved an actual child who, despite explicitly indicating her age as 13, continued to receive sexually explicit messages from the defendant.
Utilising the identity ‘Ryan’, in violation of the stipulations of the SHPO, he advised the girl to maintain their communication as a “secret” from her parents.
He requested photographs from her and articulated his desires, proposing to give her ‘a grand’ in exchange for an image of her in her pants, while professing his love for her.
Mr. Morley stated that the police were notified, leading to his arrest while in possession of his phone, which was confiscated for analysis; however, Ovington had erased numerous damning messages.
During the interview, he refrained from making any remarks to the police.
Mr. Morley stated that the defendant violated the conditions of the SHPO by both interacting with a minor and deleting his texts.
Luke Ovington, 28, of Linden Place, Newton Aycliffe, confessed to charges of sexual communication with a minor, violating a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and possessing a small quantity of cannabis discovered during his detention.
Tony Davis, in mitigation, stated that the psychiatric and probation reports compiled for the previous year’s hearing remain relevant.
This was an ongoing, intentional violation, and I cannot contest the Crown’s evaluation.
Mr. Davis stated that the defendant’s history encompasses interactions with mental health services throughout his adulthood.
“It is possible that he has reverted to his nefarious tendencies once more.”
His obsession with consuming cannabis and engaging in internet activities will inevitably result in a cyclical pattern of incarceration.
“However, he has utilised his time in custody effectively.”
Judge Nathan Adams informed Luke Ovington: “You are once again present, addressing your conduct in September of this year, in violation of a suspended prison sentence and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that was enacted on July 14 of the previous year.”
“Notwithstanding the unequivocal warnings, you find yourself here once more for violating the orders imposed upon you.”
You were informed that the girl was merely 13; still, you engaged her in conversation regarding masturbation and attempted to obtain photographs of her in her knickers.’
You proposed £1,000 to her for those photographs, thereafter stating that you would refrain from further contact.
This behaviour was unequivocally the type that those orders aimed to prohibit.
“It is evident that it would result in a substantial prison sentence.”
Judge Adams sentenced the defendant to a total of 28 months in jail, which includes six months activated from a previously suspended term from the prior year.
Luke Ovington will be subject to new ten-year SHPO and registration requirements, commencing anew on Friday, December 13.
The judge mandated the confiscation of the confiscated cannabis and Luke Ovington’s mobile device.
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