ALAN CAPSTICK FROM KENDAL SENTENCED IN SOUTH CUMBRIA FOR ONLINE CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In August 2017, a man from Kendal, Alan Capstick, was involved in a case that drew significant attention in South Cumbria regarding serious online child sex offenses. The incident was brought before Carlisle Crown Court, where details emerged about Capstick’s inappropriate and illegal conduct involving minors.

It was revealed that Capstick, aged 45, engaged in sexually explicit conversations with young boys and girls through Skype on his iPhone. During these chats, he falsely presented himself as a man in his mid-20s, fully aware that the children he was communicating with were under the age of 16. The court heard that these conversations took place over a period from April to August 2015, during which Capstick attempted to incite or cause the minors to engage in sexual activities.

Initially, Capstick did not admit to his guilt, but on the second day of his trial, he finally pleaded guilty to eight counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. Additionally, he admitted to publishing an obscene article, which was related to the possession of the Skype transcripts that documented his conversations with the minors.

The judge presiding over the case, Judge Pete Hughes QC, expressed his view that Capstick’s actions warranted a custodial sentence. However, in a decision that emphasized rehabilitation over punishment, he opted to impose a community order instead. The judge stated that a prison sentence would be appropriate but believed that a more constructive approach would be to require Capstick to undergo a series of rehabilitative measures.

As part of his sentence, Capstick, who resides on Dale Avenue in Kendal, was ordered to complete a sex offender treatment program and undertake rehabilitation efforts. He is also required to perform 100 hours of unpaid work. Furthermore, he must register as a sex offender and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order for the next five years. Additionally, Capstick was ordered to pay costs amounting to £1,200. The court’s decision aimed to balance accountability with the potential for rehabilitation, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses and the need for ongoing monitoring and treatment.