ALAN MULLEN SENTENCED IN CARDIFF FOR ATTEMPTED MEET AFTER ONLINE GROOMING

In June 2017, Alan Mullen, a 66-year-old man from Cwmbran, attempted to meet a girl he believed was 14 years old after grooming her online. He was intercepted by the child protection group Petronus. Mullen admitted in court at Cardiff Crown Court that he tried to meet a child following grooming attempts.

Judge William Gaskell described Mullen’s conduct as “pathetic.” Prosecutor Julian Greenwood explained that a woman in her late 30s created a fake profile on the site Kiss Chat, pretending to be a 14-year-old girl named Sam. The court heard that Mullen engaged with this profile online from May 12, where he asked her age, and upon her saying she was 14, he falsely claimed he was 49.

Mr. Greenwood added: “The conversations became sexual.” He revealed that Mullen called her “honey,” inquired if she liked snogging, and discussed her breast size. The group Petronus, a collective of members from the public, ultimately caught him.

Prosecutors stated that Mullen told the girl he needed to be cautious, indicating he did not want to be seen as a paedophile, and he urged her to delete their messages. When she asked what a paedophile was, he replied: “A man who preys on young girls.” Their online contact continued for a week until Mullen was arrested on May 19, after he arranged to meet her at Beechwood Park in Newport.

Members of Petronus visited the park and saw Mullen, who turned his car around upon realizing what was happening. Other members waited at his home in Cwmbran and detained him until police arrived, then handed over their evidence.

During his police interview, Mullen described the online contact as “friendship,” insisting he did not intend to have sex with the girl but admitted he sought an “ego boost” from her attention. He acknowledged his attempts at grooming but denied any intent of a sexual encounter.

He pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child after grooming. Judge Gaskell emphasized the seriousness of the offence, stating, “This is a serious offence.” He criticized Mullen’s actions as “pathetic,” asking, “What on earth did you think you were doing?” The judge also condemned his lie about his age, calling it “some pathetic attempt to give yourself youth,” and pointed out how the claim about paedophiles was hypocritical given his behavior.

Dressed in a dark suit, Mullen hung his head as he was sentenced to 14 months in jail, suspended for two years. He was also placed under a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Additionally, he received a community order involving 180 hours of unpaid work, 30 days of rehabilitation activities, and a four-month curfew.