ANDREW INGRAM CAUGHT IN BOSTON AND LONDON CHILD SEX CRIME SCANDAL

A man named Andrew Ingram from Boston, Lincolnshire, was caught in a disturbing online sting involving child exploitation and sexual communication. The incident unfolded when an undercover police officer from the Metropolitan Police, posing as a 13-year-old girl named Amelia from London, engaged in conversations with Ingram, who believed he was speaking to a minor. The Metropolitan Police's undercover operation revealed the extent of Ingram's inappropriate behavior, which included explicit sexual chats and requests for indecent images.

According to court proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court, Ingram, aged 51, was actively involved in conversations on messaging platforms Kik Messenger and Snapchat. His online profile, which bore the name 'deviant dude 73' and featured an image resembling a wooden bondage cross, was used to initiate contact with the decoy. The exchanges began in August 2022 when Ingram sent a message to the fictitious girl, Amelia. It was during these exchanges that he discovered her age and proceeded to ask if she liked older men, revealing his intentions and sexual interests.

Prosecutor Laura Miller detailed how Ingram told Amelia that he had recently visited a friend for some 'fun,' which he clarified meant engaging in sexual activity. He inquired about her personal life, asking whether she had a boyfriend or had experienced sex before. He then requested her to send nude photographs, promising to reciprocate, although she expressed reluctance. Ingram persisted, claiming he had enhanced his Kik application to obtain more photos, and urged her to send a selfie to see what would happen.

Throughout the conversation, Ingram shared details about his personal interests, including DIY projects, building kinky sex toys, and driving his sports car. He also sent images of some of the sex toys he used. He asked Amelia if she would spend the night with him if he traveled to London, implying that she would not need many clothes. When she indicated she had not had sex before, Ingram responded with a comment he described as 'hot.' He then instructed her on how to perform a sexual act on herself, requesting a video so he could verify her actions. When she mentioned she needed to take a shower, he expressed a desire to watch her.

Further into the conversation, Ingram mentioned visiting a BDSM dungeon and asked if she had viewed a pornographic website he had recommended. He also offered to buy her sexy underwear, expressing admiration for her appearance and asking for explicit photos, including one of her breasts. He described himself as relaxing in a hot tub and expressed a desire for her to join him naked, suggesting he wanted her to do so. Throughout the chat, he continued to ask about her school activities, including her PE class, and sent suggestive emojis and comments about her appearance in gym attire.

Ingram's predatory behavior extended to asking her to send pictures of herself in her underwear and inquiring about her relationship status. When she clarified she was not interested in girls, he responded with a vague comment about 'plenty of time.'

Police intervened in February of the following year, executing a search warrant at Ingram's residence. During the search, officers seized two mobile phones and a SIM card, discovering numerous indecent images of children. The images were classified as Category A, the most severe, along with Category B images, depicting children as young as four or five years old.

Ingram was interviewed by police and admitted to being part of a Kik group where he communicated with the decoy. He described his behavior as 'stupid' and acknowledged having a sexual interest in children, stating he preferred girls aged 13 and older. When asked if he would have met Amelia, he suggested it was 'probably' possible if she had been in Newcastle, but he dismissed the idea due to the distance. He also admitted to possibly having carried out a sex act over the images found on his devices.

Ingram, of Brewster Road, Boston, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting sexual communication with a child, and possessing indecent images of children. Judge Robert Adams addressed Ingram during sentencing, highlighting how quickly he shifted the conversation to sexual topics and his attempts to arrange a meeting with the decoy, had she been closer.

Judge Adams sentenced Ingram to 32 months in prison and imposed a lifelong sexual harm prevention order. The seized mobile phones and SIM card are to be destroyed, and Ingram's actions serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators targeting minors.