COLIN WINGRAVE BILDERICAY PAEDOPHILE CAUGHT IN ONLINE TRAP BY POLICE

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilant law enforcement, Colin Wingrave, a 50-year-old former museum curator from Billericay, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for his involvement in child exploitation activities. The case unfolded after police officers successfully set up a covert operation that led to Wingrave's arrest and subsequent conviction.

Wingrave had been actively engaging in online conversations with a girl he believed was only 14 years old. Over the course of their digital interactions, he groomed the 15-year-old victim, manipulating her through chat messages and building a false sense of trust. His intent was clear: he lured her to meet him in person near his residence in Crescent Gardens, Billericay. The victim only came forward to authorities after police arrested Wingrave approximately 30 months later, following a carefully orchestrated operation designed to catch online predators in the act.

In July 2007, law enforcement officers raided Wingrave’s home. During the search, they discovered a disturbing collection of digital material on his computer. Among the files were 160 images depicting underage girls in various sexual poses and engaging in sexual acts. These findings underscored the severity of his misconduct and his possession of illegal material involving minors.

Judge Peter Testar presided over the case and delivered a stern judgment. He remarked, “It seems to me he has a powerful personality and the capacity to be manipulative.” The judge acknowledged Wingrave’s admission of being sexually attracted to young girls but clarified that there was no evidence to suggest he was involved in distributing indecent images. The court also noted that Wingrave believed he was communicating with a girl named Helen, who was, in fact, an officer from the Metropolitan Police’s anti-paedophile unit based at Scotland Yard.

During the proceedings, Wingrave was ordered to participate in the Thames Valley Police sex offenders’ group work program, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate offenders and prevent future crimes. His background as a former worker at the Thameside Aviation Museum in East Tilbury was also noted during the case.

The police operation that led to Wingrave’s downfall was initiated through an online “honeytrap” setup on the MSN Messenger system. Under the false identity of “Helen,” an officer engaged Wingrave in conversation, which culminated in him performing a sexual act in front of a webcam. He then arranged to meet the girl in his car, unaware that he was speaking to law enforcement personnel.

At Southwark Crown Court, Wingrave was visibly emotional, waving and smiling at his family as he was sentenced. In addition to his prison term, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register and prohibited from storing images of children under 16 on any computer. He faced multiple charges, including seven counts of possession, making, and taking indecent photographs of children, as well as attempting to meet a child following grooming and trying to coerce a minor into watching a sexual act.

Although Wingrave denied engaging in sexual activity with a child between January 2005 and January 2006, the court found him guilty of all charges. His conviction underscores the ongoing battle against online child exploitation and the importance of proactive police operations to protect vulnerable minors from predators.