ANTHONY NENDRICK FROM COLBURN AND MIDDLESBROUGH CAUGHT IN SEX OFFENDER STING TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR

In a disturbing case that highlights ongoing concerns about sexual offenses and online safety, Anthony Nendrick, a convicted sex offender from Colburn and later residing in Middlesbrough, has been sentenced to a total of three years in prison after being caught in two separate 'paedophile hunter' style operations within a span of less than twelve months.

It was revealed that Nendrick, who previously served as a soldier, believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl when he sent explicit videos of himself performing a sex act and requested similar images in return. Unbeknownst to him, the individual he was engaging with was an adult woman operating as part of a vigilant online sting operation. She managed to obtain his address during their conversation, which led to his confrontation by members of the online hunting team and subsequent arrest by police authorities.

The court heard that Nendrick's troubling history with online sexual misconduct dates back to September 2014, when he propositioned a schoolgirl via the internet. Despite the girl repeatedly making it clear that her advances were unwelcome, Nendrick persisted. During an earlier hearing, he admitted to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and was fined for his actions at that time.

Fast forward to January of this year, Nendrick was caught in his first sting operation after he attempted to engage in sexual activity with a minor. He pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to incite a girl aged between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual acts. Prosecutor Jo Kidd outlined that the 36-year-old, who was then living on Manor Grove in Colburn, was sentenced to 16 months at York Crown Court.

Remarkably, shortly after his release, Nendrick resumed his online activities, again attempting to contact teenage girls. This pattern of behavior led to his being caught once more in a decoy operation, where he was again found attempting to communicate with minors. During the court proceedings, Nendrick, who was representing himself, pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity and to breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

In a rare move, Judge Deborah Sherwin offered Nendrick the opportunity to present mitigation, including details about his post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from his military service. However, he declined to do so, as well as refusing to read his pre-sentence report. The judge sentenced him to two years for the initial charge and an additional one-year sentence for breaching the SHPO, to be served consecutively. Furthermore, Nendrick was handed an indefinite SHPO and an order requiring him to notify authorities of his movements at all times.

Judge Sherwin emphasized the importance of public reassurance, stating, “I think this is a case where the public need the reassurance that he will be watched when he is released.” The case underscores the ongoing vigilance required to protect vulnerable individuals from repeat offenders like Nendrick, whose actions have caused significant concern in the communities of Colburn and Middlesbrough.