ALAN WRIGHT, FORMER FREEMASON FROM LITTLE DOWNHAM, ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD SEX STING IN SUFFOLK

In a case that has shocked the local community of Little Downham and the wider Freemason fraternity, 75-year-old Alan Wright was caught in a police internet sting attempting to meet a child for sexual activity. The incident took place in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, last November, and has since garnered significant media attention due to Wright's prominent status within the Freemason organization.

Police officers, operating under a specialized unit, set up an online operation where they posed as a 14-year-old boy. The operation was part of an ongoing effort to combat online child exploitation and involved careful surveillance and digital monitoring. Wright, who believed he was communicating with a minor, engaged in explicit exchanges, sending images of his private parts over the internet and making sexual references during their conversations.

According to the prosecution, Richard Kelly, Wright's communications included explicit images and arrangements to meet at Bury St Edmunds railway station. Wright had even brought condoms with him, indicating his intent to engage in sexual activity. When he arrived at the station, he was promptly met by police officers who arrested him on the spot. The police investigation revealed that Wright had been actively attempting to incite a child into sexual acts, which led to his arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

Wright, residing at Rye Gardens, Little Downham, Ely, admitted to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. His court appearance at Ipswich Crown Court resulted in a sentence that, while lenient, reflected the seriousness of his actions. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed further offenses within that period.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Wright was ordered to participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offenders’ Treatment Programme, a specialized rehabilitation initiative aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending. He was also required to complete a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement, perform 80 hours of unpaid community work, and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order. Furthermore, he was mandated to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and pay costs amounting to £1,200 along with a victim surcharge of £140.

Wright's background is notable within the Freemason community. He previously held the position of Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters and was also the Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Essex. He resigned from all Masonic roles on December 1, 2016, following the emergence of his criminal activities in the media.

During the sentencing, Judge Martyn Levett acknowledged that Wright had no prior convictions. The judge emphasized that while a custodial sentence might address the immediate risk, the rehabilitation program was designed to mitigate future dangers. Judge Levett pointed out that Wright genuinely believed he was communicating with a real boy and had made sexual references during their exchanges. The judge also noted Wright's inappropriate questions about involving a friend and expressed concern about his apparent sexual attraction to children.

He warned Wright that any breach of the suspended sentence could result in immediate imprisonment. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and the complexities involved in sentencing individuals with significant social and organizational ties, such as Wright, who was once a prominent figure in Freemasonry and attended meetings with notable members like Prince Michael of Kent. The incident has raised questions about safeguarding and the responsibilities of organizations to monitor their members' conduct.

Overall, the case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community awareness in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.