CATCHING CARL ANTHONY IN LOSCOE: DERBYSHIRE PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS EXPOSE 59-YEAR-OLD GROOMING 13-YEAR-OLDS NEAR HEANOR

In June 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving a 59-year-old man named Carl Anthony, who was caught in a sting operation conducted by vigilant paedophile hunters. The group, known as Guardians of the North, meticulously tracked Anthony to his residence on Lake Avenue in Loscoe, a village near Heanor in Derbyshire. Their confrontation was captured on video, revealing the moment they challenged him about the sexually explicit messages he had been sending to what he believed were two 13-year-old girls through fake Facebook profiles.

Anthony’s actions came to light after the group’s investigation uncovered a pattern of inappropriate communication that began in August 2016. The footage shows members of the group confronting Anthony at his home, where they questioned him about the nature of his messages. The court proceedings that followed detailed the extent of his online conduct, which included sending sexually explicit messages to profiles he thought belonged to underage girls.

During the hearing at Nottingham Crown Court, prosecutor Gareth Gimson presented examples of the messages Anthony had sent. These messages included probing questions about the girls’ sexual experiences, such as asking whether they had ever tried sex before and if they would like to try it with him, explicitly stating that it would not be with him. Gimson also revealed that Anthony asked one of the 'girls' if she would like him to kiss her breasts, but he ended the conversation when she responded that she might be shy, indicating a level of awareness and restraint.

Details regarding Anthony’s arrest were not disclosed during the court session; however, it was confirmed that he fully admitted to the police his involvement in the case. He pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to incite a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity. The court was informed that although Anthony did not ask the fictitious children to perform any penetrative acts or arrange to meet them in person, his intentions were clearly sexual and inappropriate.

The judge sentenced Anthony to a three-year community order and imposed a ban on any contact with girls under 18. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register, marking a significant step in his legal repercussions. The judge acknowledged that Anthony had not previously been convicted of any crimes but emphasized the importance of rehabilitation and the need to prevent future offenses. He stated, “You, it is right to say, did not ever ask any of these fictitious children to perform any sort of penetrative act on the screen. You did not, as so many do, ask to meet any of these children. To the contrary, when the conversation started to go in that direction of that sort of thing, you chose to end it quite properly. It shows that at least part of you was thinking sensibly, but not all of you.”

The court concluded with a warning to Anthony, urging him to reflect on his actions and to avoid returning to court for similar offenses in the future. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of community groups and law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation, especially in areas like Loscoe and the surrounding Derbyshire region.