ADAM SNOWBALL CAUGHT IN BARDON MILL BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS WHILE TRYING TO CONTACT UNDERAGE GIRL

In January 2019, the ambitions of a young man from Bardon Mill to pursue a career in law enforcement were severely derailed after he was caught engaging in inappropriate online conversations with what he believed to be a minor. Adam Snowball, aged 21, had initiated contact with a profile named Louise on the social networking site Blendr, under the impression that he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl.

Within a short span of time, the conversation between Snowball and the fake profile quickly turned sexual in nature. The individual behind the profile, which was actually a setup by vigilant paedophile hunters known as Guardians of the North, had been monitoring the chat. After two days of exchanges, Snowball’s contact appeared to diminish, prompting the vigilantes to take action. They arrived at his residence in Bardon Mill and subsequently alerted the police.

At Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed that Snowball, who resides on Redburn View in Bardon Mill near Hexham, had been in contact with the fake profile since August of the previous year. The communication initially started on Blendr and later continued on Kik Messenger. Prosecutor Michael Bunch detailed the disturbing nature of the exchanges, stating, “Within a short period of time, the defendant asked if she was a virgin and inquired about her clothing. He was told she was wearing pyjamas and underwear, and he asked her to prove it. He also asked what the most she had done with a boy was.”

Further into the conversation, Snowball sent two images of his torso and genital area, asked if she wanted to have sex, and encouraged her to send images of her legs. The prosecutor added, “He expressed a wish that she was two years older so they could have sex, citing the age as too risky at her current age. He also asked if she would like to meet in Newcastle, expressing disappointment about meeting in the city center because they would not be able to engage in sexual activity.”

Snowball’s actions led to his arrest outside his parents’ home, resulting in significant public humiliation. Despite having a supportive family and a stable job, his reputation was severely damaged by the incident. During the court proceedings, Snowball admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor. Judge Penny Moreland sentenced him to a three-year community order, requiring him to complete a sex offenders’ treatment program, register as a sex offender for five years, and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £500 in costs.

Judge Moreland emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “You made contact with a profile named Louise, believing you were talking to a 14-year-old. Over the course of a day or two, you engaged in sexual conversations, sent and solicited explicit images. In reality, you were dealing with someone who had set up a fake profile to identify individuals seeking inappropriate contact with minors.”