ARRON BUTLER CONNAH'S QUAY PAEDOPHILE HUNTER UNDERCOVER COP SENTENCED

In August 2020, Arron Butler, a man from Connah's Quay in Flintshire, found himself at the center of a serious criminal case involving online grooming and child exploitation. The case unraveled when Butler, aged 35 and residing on Cheriton Close, believed he was communicating with two underage girls through fake social media accounts. However, in a twist of justice, it was revealed that he was actually talking to a paedophile hunter and an undercover police officer, both posing as teenage females to catch him in the act.

Butler faced multiple charges in connection with his online activities. He admitted to three counts: inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and causing two children to watch sexual acts. A fourth charge, which involved attempting to engage a child in sexually explicit conversations, was allowed to remain on file, meaning it was not formally prosecuted but could be considered in sentencing.

Despite there being no actual victims, the court sentenced Butler to 20 months in prison. The sentencing took place at Mold Crown Court, with Judge Niclas Parry presiding. Prosecutor Simon Rogers outlined the details of Butler’s offending, revealing that in 2018, Butler created a fake account under the guise of a woman running a modelling agency. His target was a 14-year-old girl, whom he contacted and sent explicit messages and images, pressuring her to send more photos. It was later discovered that the account was operated by a paedophile hunter, leading to Butler’s arrest.

Following this initial arrest, Butler appeared before magistrates in Mold in June of the same year and was committed to the Crown Court for sentencing. However, just ten days after his court appearance, Butler made contact with another girl, this time a 13-year-old, using a different fake account. This account featured a photo of his ex-partner and daughter. Once again, he sent explicit messages, encouraging her to send photos and perform sexual acts. It was at this point that the police confirmed he was communicating with an undercover officer, leading to his re-arrest.

In addition to his prison sentence, Butler was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that will last for ten years. This order restricts him from contacting girls under the age of 16 unless under strict conditions. He is also prohibited from deleting his internet browsing history and must inform authorities if he changes any communication devices. Furthermore, Butler was issued a restraining order preventing him from contacting his former partner for five years, aiming to protect her from any potential harassment or contact attempts.

Overall, the case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and online safety advocates to combat child exploitation and ensure that offenders like Arron Butler are held accountable for their actions.