ANTHONY FIDDLER CAUGHT IN BOURNE CHURCH SCANDAL: SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO NEARLY FIVE YEARS

In May 2022, a disturbing case unfolded involving Anthony Fiddler, a 38-year-old resident of Recreation Road in Bourne, who was found guilty of multiple sexual offences following a sting operation involving online decoys. The incident highlighted the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts in protecting vulnerable minors.

Fiddler’s criminal activities came to light after he engaged in a series of inappropriate communications with individuals he believed to be underage girls. The investigation revealed that between 17 May 2021 and 24 May 2021, he had explicit exchanges with a 15-year-old boy, which included sexual conversations. Additionally, Fiddler pleaded guilty to causing this minor to watch a sexual act on 24 May 2021, further demonstrating his predatory behavior.

Beyond this, Fiddler admitted to attempting to initiate sexual contact with two other girls, aged 12 and 14, during the period from 24 May 2021 to 25 May 2021. He also pleaded guilty to trying to incite a 14-year-old girl to engage in a sexual act within the same timeframe. The court was informed that these two girls were, in fact, decoys—online profiles created to catch predators in the act.

The investigation uncovered additional disturbing evidence: Fiddler had made three separate attempts to communicate sexually with minors, and he possessed a significant collection of indecent images of children. These images, analyzed by authorities, included 124 in the most severe Category A, 86 in Category B, and 630 in Category C, spanning from August 2000 to November 2020.

Prosecutor Caroline Bradley explained to Lincoln Crown Court that Fiddler’s offending was facilitated through online contacts, where he reached out to one teenage boy and two decoys posing as girls under 16. The court heard that Fiddler initially made contact after seeing an advertisement for gardening services, which he used as a gateway to communicate with the minors.

During the investigation, Fiddler was found to have requested explicit images from the decoys and even sent one of them a sexual image of himself. The case took a dramatic turn when Fiddler arranged to meet one of the decoys at Bourne Abbey Church. The meeting was thwarted as the decoy was accompanied by police officers, who apprehended him upon his arrival.

Further analysis of Fiddler’s mobile phone revealed the presence of numerous indecent images of children, confirming the extent of his offending. It was also noted that Fiddler had a prior conviction for exposure in 2005, indicating a history of inappropriate behavior.

During sentencing, Judge John Pini QC expressed grave concern over the fact that Fiddler had planned to meet a minor at a church in Bourne, specifically Bourne Abbey Church. While the judge clarified that he did not currently consider Fiddler to be dangerous, he emphasized that his actions indicated a troubling trajectory towards more serious offending. Fiddler was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison and was also subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years, aimed at restricting his future contact with minors and preventing further offenses.