Shropshire man jailed for attempting to groom young girls

Robert Andrew Jeffrey’s attempts to befriend young girls failed after several parents and their children became suspicious and reported their concerns to West Mercia Police.

Jeffrey, a 45-year-old registered sex offender, formerly of Smithfield Road, Market Drayton, was sentenced to two years eight months imprisonment at Shrewsbury Crown Court after admitting contacting girls under the age of 18 on the internet.

He pleaded guilty to six charges relating to failure to comply with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order imposed by Gloucester Crown Court last September.

The charges also include failing to update the police with details of a new address and bank account, fraudulent use of a tax disc and altering the registration number of his car and failing to surrender to police bail.

Detective Constable Sarah Matthews, the investigating officer, said Jeffrey, went on the run earlier this year while on bail during an investigation into other suspected offences involving children.

His disappearance prompted a nationwide police search after he left home, abandoned his car in Telford and failed to reply to repeated police attempts to contact him.

Jeffrey was eventually traced to the Scottish Highlands and arrested on 23 August this year, appearing before Shrewsbury magistrates five days later when he admitted all charges against him.

DC Matthews said the case illustrated yet again that children and parents needed to be extremely careful and guarded when talking to strangers on the internet.

“People are not always who they claim to be although Jeffrey’s initial approach was somewhat different. He made contact with parents who he was acquainted with from many years back, coming across as an old friend.

“However, his motives were sinister in so far that his sole purpose was to make contact with people who had young daughters so he could engage in dialogue with them.

“Although there was no physical contact, he had started the grooming process and his manner and behaviour raised suspicions.”

She praised parents for coming forward, in following their instincts and reporting their concerns.

“Initially, they had no cause for concern. This was a stranger from their distant past – not a relative or friend but someone they were acquainted with from way back who used Facebook to renew that acquaintance and gain their trust.

“He then used that trust to initiate conversations with their daughters. Once suspicions about his true motives were raised, he created a false persona of a much younger male and attempted to continue contact.

“Luckily, some of the parents and youngsters became suspicious and reported him.”

She said Jeffrey was known to have made contact with five girls aged 15 or 16 who lived with their families in Shropshire. The investigation into his activities had been co-ordinated by West Mercia Police with assistance from officers in Devon and Cornwall, Lancashire and Scotland.

DC Matthews added: “The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of befriending people on Facebook and similar mediums who you don’t personally know well. Be absolutely sure you know who you are talking to online and avoid exchanges with complete strangers.”