ADAM SHELTON FROM SANDIACRE JAILED FOR SEX OFFENSES AFTER BAITING STING IN DERBY

In August 2018, a man named Adam Shelton from Sandiacre was sentenced to prison after being caught in a covert operation conducted by a dedicated paedophile hunting team known as the 'Templar Knights'.

The incident came to light during a court hearing held on August 31, 2018, at Derby Crown Court, where Shelton pleaded guilty to serious charges related to attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child.

The court was informed that Shelton had actively contacted an online profile he believed belonged to a minor. Over the course of their digital interaction, Shelton sent a series of sexually explicit messages, clearly indicating his intent to pursue sexual activity with the supposed child. However, it was later revealed that the profile was a decoy operated by the 'Templar Knights: Guardians of Children', a specialized online child protection team.

This team employs a strategy where they pose as children on social media platforms to identify and apprehend predators who attempt to groom minors for sexual purposes. Their operations involve meticulous research into the backgrounds of suspected offenders, followed by sting operations to catch them in the act.

On the day of the operation, another team called 'No Nonsense' provided security and logistical support. Once Shelton was identified and secured, the team contacted local law enforcement authorities, handed over all collected evidence, and Shelton was subsequently arrested.

The court heard that Shelton’s actions were part of a calculated attempt to exploit what he believed was a vulnerable child. The evidence collected during the sting was deemed sufficient to convict him of attempting to incite sexual activity with a minor.

In sentencing, the judge ordered Adam Shelton to serve 16 months in prison. Additionally, Shelton was required to sign the sex offenders register for a period of ten years, reflecting the severity of his actions.

Furthermore, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was imposed for ten years, restricting Shelton’s activities and access to certain online platforms. The court also issued an order under section 143 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, allowing for the forfeiture of Shelton’s mobile phone, which was seized during the arrest, with a 28-day window for retrieving any additional information.

Finally, the judge mandated that Shelton be placed on the Barring List maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), effectively preventing him from working with children or in roles that involve contact with minors in the future.