Jailed, court guard who invited boys over for sex
MAN, 54, MET ONE OF THE YOUNGSTERS ON GAY DATING APP GRINDR
A CROWN court guard who invited two schoolboys for sex at his home after meeting one of them on Grindr has been jailed.
Philip Mansfield invited the youngsters, who were both under 16, for sexual encounters in return for e-cigarette liquid, money and trips to the fair.
The 54-year-old was working as guard on the doors of Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester when he met the boys.
Mansfield also gave them vodka, cider and takeaway pizza – and even bought one of them trainers and diving equipment for a family holiday.
He told one of the youngsters: “I wish you were my son, I’d be so proud.”
Mansfield, a former motor insurance company worker, was arrested after being contacted by one of the boy’s mothers after she saw messages on his phone inviting him for a sleepover.
Police found 67 indecent images of the youngsters on Mansfield’s computer.
Mansfield, from Chadderton, Oldham, admitting causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child.
He was jailed for two years following a Manchester Crown Court hearing. The court heard that the affairs began in September 2015 after one of the boys set up an account on the gay dating app Grindr and asked if other users could buy him e-cigarette fluid. Mansfield answered the post and met up with the boy before inviting him back to his house.
The pair had several sexual encounters and Mansfield bought him an e-cigarette worth £90 and diving equipment worth £100.
The boy told his friend of the meetings and the pair began meeting Mansfield together.
On one occasion, the boys told their parents they were staying at a friend’s house before going to Mansfield’s home.
Lisa Boocock, prosecuting, said the truth emerged last August when one of the boy’s mothers intercepted messages from Mansfield on her son’s phone. When she rang Mansfield, he denied knowing the boy.
When the mother threatened to call the police, he said: “Do what you have to do.” Mansfield later claimed he thought the boys were 16.
Gwen Henshaw, defending, said he got ‘carried away’ with the relationships – and thought the boys were ‘consenting.’
Judge Patrick Field QC banned Mansfield from working with children for 10 years. He told him: “Each boy has been exploited and I will not pretend to understand fully the anguish and turmoil that will have caused.”