ANTHONY FINNIS FROM WYMONDHAM CAUGHT TRYING TO ABUSE CHILD IN DARTFORD

In a disturbing case that highlights the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation, Anthony Finnis, a man from Wymondham, was recently sentenced to prison after a failed attempt to abuse a young boy in Dartford. The incident unfolded on Friday, 30 September 2022, when Finnis traveled from his residence in Norfolk to the town of Dartford, with the apparent intention of meeting a 12-year-old boy for the purpose of committing a sexual offence.

Finnis’s plan was to meet the child at a local coffee shop in Dartford, where he believed the boy would be waiting along with his father. In a calculated move, Finnis brought along a Thor costume, which he believed was the child's favorite Marvel superhero, in an attempt to lure the boy into a trap. The costume was purchased online, specifically from Amazon, as part of his preparations for the meeting.

However, the meeting did not go as Finnis had hoped. Instead of encountering the child and his supposed guardian, he was met by officers from Kent Police, who had been monitoring the situation. The police had set up an undercover operation, and Finnis was promptly arrested upon his arrival at the coffee shop. His arrest was a significant breakthrough in the case, preventing any potential harm to the child.

Following his arrest, Finnis was taken into custody and appeared in court on Monday, 3 October 2022. During the hearing, he pleaded guilty to multiple serious charges, including arranging to commit a child sex offence and possessing and distributing images classified as Category A and B child abuse material. His actions and the evidence presented in court painted a disturbing picture of his intentions and prior online activity.

Finnis, aged 36 and residing on Briton Way in Wymondham, was subsequently sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, 23 June. The court handed down a substantial prison sentence of eight years, with an additional four years on licence to be served after his release. This sentence reflects the gravity of his offences and the community’s need for protection from such predatory behavior.

Authorities and community members alike have expressed relief that Finnis’s plans were thwarted before any harm could be inflicted. The case underscores the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community awareness in safeguarding children from predators who attempt to exploit their innocence for criminal purposes.