A Swindon man threatened to rape a child because he was ‘a little lonely’, a court heard.
Jordan Stevenson sent a message to a woman stating he was going to “f*** the 12-year-old that’s in my house” and claimed she was wearing a thong.
The 25-year-old, of Fire Fly Avenue, pleaded guilty to sending a message that conveyed a threat of death or serious harm – a new offence under the Online Safety Act 2023.
The woman he was communicating with called the police and officers were sent to his home to arrest him – but they found no evidence of any children staying there.
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (Monday), Keith Ballinger said that in custody the defendant claimed he’d sent the message to get the woman’s attention when she was ignoring him.
In one message, Stevenson told the woman that he knows the child and her family because he plays football with her dad – and that she turned up wearing a thong.
He said that she was sleeping on the floor and he was in the bed above her, and commented: “I’d never w*** with a child in the room, I’ll go next door if I get hard, LOL”.
The woman said she “felt really upset, angry and sick to the stomach”, Mr Ballinger added.
Stevenson has also told officers in custody that he was “depressed and lonely” and simply made it all up.
As defence solicitor Lee Mott stood to speak, District Judge Joanna Dickins interrupted – describing the case as “extraordinary”.
He responded: “The probation officer forms a view that he was in effect a little lonely and this was a clumsy attempt to use a threat as a form of punishment for the person not speaking to him.”
Adding that Stevenson is getting professional help for his mental health and alcohol issues – and is “very sorry about it”.
Mr Mott said that the defendant “anticipates his job continuing”, stating that he earns £26,000 an annum.
Judge Dickens added: “It’s absolutely bizarre, I’ve never seen anything like it.
“This is an utterly bizarre offence and one that caused distress to the woman who received the messages.”
She said his actions were “wholly outrageous and wholly inappropriate”.
Stevenson was handed a 24-month community order with the requirement to complete 30 rehabilitation days. He was also told to pay a fine of £400, a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
