ANDREW STUDDEN

PAEDOPHILE BOASTED TO TEENAGE BOY ABOUT BEING NAKED IN HIS OUTDOOR HOT TUB

A man convicted of child sexual offenses, Andrew Studden, who had previously been subjected to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) in 2023, targeted a 13-year-old boy online.

During their conversation, he inquired about the boy’s fantasies and mentioned his hot tub located in his garden.

Studden, aged 58, appeared at Leeds Crown Court to admit charges related to attempting to engage in sexual communications with a minor, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and breaching his existing SHPO.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Noble recounted that on October 31 this year, Studden reached out to a Facebook profile belonging to the decoy, which was operated by the online predator group The Underworld.

This organization seeks to identify individuals seeking children online.

In the online exchange, Studden’s messages became sexual in tone, asking the boy about his sexual orientation, whether he had experimented with or had feelings for other boys, and talking about his hot tub where he would bathe naked.

He also described a boy staying at his house who would watch him shower.

Additionally, he encouraged the decoy to masturbate, asking if he did so.

After a week of messaging, the hunter group alerted law enforcement, leading to his arrest.

During questioning, Studden largely refused to answer, and analysis of his devices revealed he had deleted messages automatically, violating his SHPO.

He was previously from Coniston Gardens, Halton, but was now without a fixed address and appeared in court via video link from HMP Leeds.

During mitigation, his lawyer Jemima Stephenson-Finn stated that Studden deeply regrets his conduct and had pleaded guilty early.

She also highlighted his social isolation and traumatic childhood experiences.

Judge Simon Phillips KC sentenced him to 20 months in prison, imposed a new 10-year SHPO, and ordered his inclusion on the sex offender register for a decade.