WORTHENBURY MAN BEN WALLER CAUGHT IN SHOCKING ONLINE GROOMING SCHEME NEAR WREXHAM

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community near Wrexham, Ben Waller, a 43-year-old resident of Church Road, Worthenbury, found himself entangled in a police operation designed to combat online grooming and child exploitation. The incident unfolded in January 2020 when Waller believed he was communicating with a mother and her 12-year-old daughter through social media platforms. Unbeknownst to him, he was actually speaking with undercover police officers conducting a sting operation aimed at identifying individuals attempting to groom minors over the internet.

Waller's conversations with the officers quickly took a disturbing turn. He was making explicit sexual advances towards the supposed young girl, detailing in graphic terms what he wanted to do to her. Throughout the exchanges, he appeared to be under the impression that he was talking to the child's mother, which may have emboldened his inappropriate behavior. However, in reality, he was engaging with law enforcement personnel who had set up the scenario to catch offenders like him.

The court proceedings revealed that Waller's actions were not isolated incidents. It was disclosed that back in 2008, he had already been handed a suspended prison sentence for possessing and downloading indecent images of children, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior. The judge, Rhys Rowlands, emphasized the gravity of the current offences, which dated back to July of the previous year, and described them as very serious.

During the court hearing at Mold Crown Court, it was established that Waller had used messaging apps such as Kik and WhatsApp to communicate with the supposed minor. His messages made it clear that he was sexually interested in children, and he did not shy away from explicitly stating his intentions. Despite acknowledging that his actions could land him in legal trouble, Waller continued to pursue the conversation with the apparent 12-year-old girl, even explicitly describing what he wanted to do to her.

As a result of his guilty plea, Waller was sentenced to 21 months in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his activities and contact with minors. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender with the police indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to protect children from online predators and the importance of vigilance in digital spaces.