At the time he committed the offence, Jefferson was the chairman of the Derby Junior Football League and was a qualified referee(Image: Getty Images/Westend61)

Junior football league chairman thought he was texting underage girl

by · Derbyshire Live

A Derby man has avoided jail after sending sexually explicit messages to an undercover police officer who he believed was a young girl. Karl Jefferson first began messaging the account on the ChatIW platform before moving to the Kik app.

The 53-year-old sent numerous sexually explicit messages between November 2023 and January 2024, despite the girl repeatedly telling him she was just 12 years old. But the girl was not a child - it was actually an undercover police officer.

The account was traced to Jefferson and he was arrested. He was subsequently charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause/incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity. Jefferson, of Marks Close, Littleover, admitted the offences and appeared at Derby Crown Court for sentence on Monday, November 4, when he was jailed for 24 months, suspended for 24 months.

He was also ordered to carry out unpaid work and attend a sex offender treatment programme. Jefferson was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register.

At the time he committed the offence, Jefferson was the chairman of the Derby Junior Football League and was a qualified referee. Officers worked with the Football Association following his arrest to ensure the appropriate safeguarding was carried out.

Jefferson is no longer involved with the football league and there have been no reports of any in-person offences by Jefferson. Detective Staff Investigator Georgia Harries, who led the investigation, said: “Jefferson was well aware of how old the girl he thought he was speaking to was but continued to send her sexually explicit messages as well as trying to encourage her to perform sexual acts.

“He had numerous attempts to end the conversations when the girl repeated her age to him but he continued his depraved acts regardless. Thankfully in this case, the recipient of the messages wasn’t a real child - and we have been able to save other children from becoming a victim.

“I’d like to ask all parents to please be aware of who their children are communicating with online, urge them to make sure they are not sending any images to anyone and let their children know that if they do receive any unwanted or inappropriate messages they should tell a trusted adult.”

To report or seek help about online sexual abuse, you can contact Derbyshire police in any of the following ways:

  • Website – They have crime reporting tools on their website: use the online contact form
  • Facebook – send a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
  • X (Twitter) – direct message the contact centre via @DerPolContact
  • Phone – call on 101
  • If you are in immediate danger and need and emergency response, always dial 999.

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.

There are also a number of other organisations who may be able to help with advice or alternative ways in which you can report. They are:

Thinkuknow : An education programme keeping children and young people safe by teaching about sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.