CALLUM LANGTON FROM LEAVENING CAUGHT IN YORK PAEDOPHILE SCANDAL

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Callum Langton, a 21-year-old resident of Leavening near Malton, has been found guilty of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor. The incident was brought to light after an online paedophile hunting group confronted him, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction at York Crown Court.

According to the prosecution, Kelly Clarke, Langton had engaged in explicit conversations via social media with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. During these exchanges, he discussed the possibility of meeting in York with the intent of having sex, a plan he apparently believed was feasible. Clarke detailed that Langton also instructed the supposed girl to keep their interactions secret, citing concerns about the legality of their relationship given his age of 21 and her alleged age of 14. These conversations raised serious concerns about his intentions and awareness of the potential harm involved.

However, it was revealed that the social media profile Langton interacted with did not belong to a minor. Instead, it was operated by an adult member of an online paedophile hunting group, who had been tracking his activity. The group member confronted Langton directly, which ultimately led to police involvement. The confrontation and evidence collected prompted the authorities to arrest Langton, who admitted to sending explicit messages and images.

During the court proceedings, Judge Simon Hickey addressed Langton, stating, “I don’t think you are a risk or a danger to the public.” Despite this, he sentenced Langton to eight months in prison, though the sentence was suspended for two years. The judge also ordered Langton to participate in a rehabilitation programme, complete 30 days of rehabilitative activities, and perform 100 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, Langton will be registered as a sex offender for the next ten years and is prohibited from working with children or vulnerable individuals.

Furthermore, Langton was ordered to pay £425 in prosecution costs. The prosecution had requested that he be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which would allow police to monitor his internet activity, but this request was declined by the judge.

In court, Ms. Clarke recounted that in March, Langton had sent a friend request to the social media profile operated by the paedophile hunter. The hunter repeatedly clarified that she was a “14-year-old girl,” as their conversations turned increasingly sexual. Langton responded by sending a sexual photograph of himself and asking for a similar photo from the “girl,” which she never sent. The group’s members visited his home on April 7, and upon admitting to the messages, Langton was taken into custody.

In police interviews, Langton claimed he had no intention of meeting the girl and insisted he had no sexual interest in children or young girls. His remorse was noted by the authorities, and his parents, who attended the court hearing in support of their son, revealed they were taking steps to help him rehabilitate. They had even arranged for a social worker, who had come out of retirement, to work privately with Langton to prevent future incidents and aid his reintegration into society.