Ipswich: Man sent indecent text to girl’s phone

Stephen Bean, formerly of Goldsmith Road, Ipswich, was also caught inviting the teenager to go round to his home when he was alone.

He was caught when the girl’s dad checked his daughter’s phone after noticing she had become withdrawn and had lost her appetite.

Bean pleaded guilty to sending indecent or obscene messages when he appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court.

The 46-year-old must now attend a sex offenders’ programme and will be supervised for 36 months as part of his three-year community order.

A restraining order is also in place to prevent him contacting the girl, who can not be identified due to legal reasons.

During his sentencing Bean, who now lives in Annandale Road, Hull, said: “I am ashamed of my actions and I regret what I did.”

After giving Bean his three-year community order, chairman of the bench Peter Foster told him: “You will also attend the Northumbria Sex Offenders’ Group Programme and you will be assessed during your time there.”

Bean was arrested after the teenager’s father noticed indecent messages had been sent to the girl’s phone by an adult male.

Although he accidentally deleted the first batch of messages, he discovered another one two days later.

The girl’s father said: “He had Facebook messaged her asking if she could come round, and put his address on it.

“I didn’t know what to do at first. Then I replied using her phone asking why, and that’s when he said he was on his own, so I stopped the conversation.”

He then contacted police who subsequently detained Bean.

The girl’s father advised other parents to ensure they know who their children are in contact with.

He said: “It’s a matter of keeping an eye on things and checking. I think if your child’s personality changes or they go a bit quiet, or are off their food, then people should just be aware.

“Just have a look at the messages they are sending or receiving, and also look in their deleted files.”