School worker who 'forcibly kissed' teen avoids jail

Cameron Jones’ behaviour was described by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court as “outrageous” and involved the “deliberate exploitation” of a vulnerable teenage girl.

He had engaged in sexual communication with his victim and her friend after his employment at their school had already been terminated following concerns over his “over-familiarity” with them.

Upon meeting up with his victim in St Helens town centre he “forcibly” kissed her and said he also “mentioned sex” to her.

Jones had pleaded guilty on the day of his scheduled trial on July 8 to two counts of sexual activity with a girl and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Prosecuting barrister Neil Bisarya told the court on Friday, August 8, that Jones had been working as a supply learning assistant at a secondary school, offering support to SEN students.

Mr Bisarya said that he had been “over-familiar” with the victim, who was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety, and her friend.

“The defendant arranged an after-school session with (the victim) without notifying anyone, he was isolated with her”.

He said that “concerns” had been raised he was “over-familiar with them” and that “their relationship appeared inappropriate”.

“Other learning assistants raised issues with the defendant directly and with the school”.

It was said Jones “manipulated his timetable to be with that group” and “it was decided by the school to terminate his employment”.

It was said the victim and her friend were “upset” to learn he was not to be in the school.

Mr Bisarya said that Jones communicated with the girls after he had left the school and met with them in St Helens town centre.

When his mobile phone was analysed “a significant number of sexual communications was found” in relation to the victim and her friend.

After communicating on Snapchat he met the victim at a car park in the town centre and asked “whether he could kiss her”. Her friend had told her “not to kiss him” but after he kept asking she “eventually relented”. Jones “forced his lips” to hers and “that it lasted a few seconds”.

Jones had “wanted to stay longer” and “kept pestering her to meet him again”. He “asked her to go back to his house” and “mentioned sex” and she said no and “returned home”.

His offending came to light when another pupil saw him in the town centre with the victim.

Jones was given a suspended sentence at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Stock)

Mr Bisarya read out a victim personal statement, in which she said “he groomed me, he forcibly kissed me, he wanted to have sex with me.

“He said he would lose his job and it would be my fault, he made me feel I could not tell anyone what was happening.”

She added: “I was also too scared to tell my family, when it did come out I was terrified to talk about the situation.

“The thought of going to court terrified me. When he pleaded guilty, I burst into tears and just wish he’d done this earlier.”

In the statement, she added: “I should have been going out at that age and having fun, instead I would feel lonely and scared.”

Defending Jones, Mr McInnes cited the pre-sentence report which said his clients’ “remorse” and “regret” are “taken as genuine” and “he accepts the far-reaching effects his behaviour has had on these two young women” and said the “physical contact” in his offending was “limited”.

He added: “While it may not satisfy the complainant, he expresses his desire to apologise to both young girls and their families.”

Asking the judge to suspend any prison sentence passed, Mr McInnes added that Jones was a “young man” at the time of the offences and has a “lack of previous convictions” and said he is “entitled to some credit for his guilty plea”.

Judge passes suspended sentence

Judge Garrett Byrne said: “Your behaviour was outrageous, it was deliberate exploitation of the vulnerability of a young child.

“You put her through […] having to attend and give evidence in Section 28 (pre-trial) procedures.

“I take into account your mitigation, you had lost your job and are unlikely to work in that area again.”

Passing a 24-month jail term on Jones, 24, of Seddon Close, Eccleston, the judge said this “can be suspended, there are good prospects of rehabilitation and there is no history of a breach of court orders”.

The judge told Jones “you came very close to going to prison today” noting it could be viewed as what he “deserved”.

He added: “However, in your case there is a better approach that can punish you and ensure you don’t do it again.”

The judge suspended the sentence for two years, along with two six-month concurrent jail terms.

Jones was ordered to do rehabilitation activity, 200 hours of unpaid work and to undertake a Building Choices programme.

A victim surcharge was applied and the forfeiture of Jones’ mobile phone was ordered.

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also passed for 10 years and indefinite restraining orders, prohibiting Jones from contacting his victim or her friend.