ANDREW HOTINE FROM BROCKWORTH CAUGHT IN ONLINE GROOMING PLOT BY POLICE AND PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS

In a significant case that highlights ongoing efforts to combat online child exploitation, Andrew Hotine, a 55-year-old resident of Brockworth, was brought to justice after attempting to groom underage girls through social media platforms. The incident, which took place in 2019, involved a series of disturbing interactions that ultimately led to his arrest and subsequent sentencing.

On Friday, July 8, at Gloucester Crown Court, the prosecution, led by Charles Thomas, detailed the sequence of events that culminated in Hotine’s conviction. It was revealed that both law enforcement authorities and civilian paedophile hunters collaborated in the operation that led to his capture. Hotine had engaged with what he believed were underage girls, but in reality, these were decoys—one an undercover police officer and the others civilians posing as children online.

The court heard that Hotine’s actions were part of two separate sets of sex offences committed during 2019. His interactions with the decoys involved attempts to groom them, which is a serious criminal offense reflecting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior. The evidence presented in court demonstrated that Hotine had been actively seeking to exploit minors through digital communication channels.

Following the conviction, Judge Lawrie sentenced Hotine to a prison term of three years and three months. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. The court also imposed a sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his access to the internet and other digital devices, aiming to prevent any future attempts at similar misconduct. The case underscores the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community efforts in safeguarding children from online predators and highlights the ongoing threat posed by individuals like Hotine within local communities such as Brockworth.