CHRISTOPHER COLE FROM HANHAM CAUGHT IN BRISTOL PAEDOPHILE STING

In May 2022, a man named Christopher Luke Cole, residing in Hanham, found himself at the center of a serious criminal incident involving online predatory behavior. Cole appeared before Bristol Crown Court to face charges related to his attempts to engage in sexual communication with a minor. The court proceedings revealed that Cole had deliberately contacted a profile he believed belonged to a 13-year-old girl, with the intent of establishing a sexual relationship.

According to court reports, Cole sent a series of explicit sexual messages to the individual he thought was a young girl. In these messages, he expressed that she was the perfect replacement for his girlfriend, indicating a disturbing level of predatory intent. The situation escalated when Cole arranged to meet the girl in Bristol, seemingly planning to carry out a physical encounter.

However, the meeting did not go as Cole expected. As he arrived in Bristol, he was quickly confronted by members of two vigilant paedophile hunting groups, Totnes Justice and UK Database. These groups had set up a sting operation, and Cole was caught in the act of attempting to meet what he believed was a minor for sexual purposes. The hunters immediately questioned him about his online activities, exposing his intentions.

Faced with the confrontation, Cole panicked and attempted to flee the scene. Despite his efforts to escape, the members of the citizen’s arrest held him until police arrived to take him into custody. The incident highlighted the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant community efforts to protect minors.

Following his arrest, Cole pleaded guilty to the charges. The court sentenced him to a three-year community order, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation and monitoring. Additionally, Cole was subjected to a five-year sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his activities and access to minors. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of five years, ensuring ongoing oversight of his conduct.

For more details, a video of the sting operation can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPvEeuOMVZE.