HULL MAN JAILED FOR ATTEMPTING TO MEET 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL AFTER ONLINE GROOMING
An online sexual predator travelled two hours to Hull – and left his wedding ring in his car – to meet up with a "gorgeous" 12-year-old girl that he "fancied" after exchanging intimate messages with her.Alan Williams turned up outside a cafe near the railway station after buying a 24-hour parking ticket – but he got a nasty shock when the police suddenly arrived to arrest him.
"He was observed by officers to be pacing outside Caffè Nero," said Mr Torbett.
"His vehicle was found parked near the location.
He had a 24-hour parking ticket." A wedding ring was taped to the visor of the vehicle.
"It was the defendant's wedding ring that he had taken off," said Mr Torbett.
"He is married." During police interview, Williams made no comment to all questions.
He had no previous convictions.
Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Williams pleaded guilty before a scheduled trial date.
He originally denied the offences but he later changed his pleas.
"He makes no excuses for his behaviour," said Miss Scott.
"He is thoroughly embarrassed and ashamed of his behaviour.
He is devastated and disgusted at his own actions.
"He has denied any sexual interest in children.
He has taken steps to address his behaviour.
He has no social media accounts at all now.
"He feels like this is really rock bottom for him.
He has shown genuine remorse." Williams had been working for an air conditioning company, travelling all over the country.
Judge John Thackray KC told Williams: "You made contact with what you thought was a 12-year-old girl via Snapchat.
You made a friend request and in full knowledge or expectation that you were speaking or communicating with a 12-year-old girl.
"You requested images, you told her that she was pretty, that she was gorgeous, that you fancied her.
You travelled over two hours intending to meet a 12-year-old girl.
"The offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.
The seriousness of the offence means that appropriate punishment can only be achieved by way of an immediate custodial sentence." Williams, of Ullswater Terrace, Stalybridge, Tameside, Greater Manchester, was jailed for one year.
He was given a seven-year sexual harm prevention order and he must register as a sex offender for 10 years.
Williams, who had been on bail, must pay a £187 victims' surcharge.
