CRAIG HAYNES FROM MANSFIELD JAILED AFTER PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS' BAIT TRAP IN MANSFIELD
In a significant case highlighting the dangers of online grooming, Craig Haynes, a 45-year-old man from Mansfield, has been sentenced to prison after being caught in a sting operation conducted by paedophile hunters.The incident unfolded when Haynes engaged in conversations with a decoy profile that was pretending to be a 13-year-old girl, with the intent of establishing a sexual relationship.
According to court proceedings, Haynes initiated contact by sending flirtatious messages, including remarks such as “you are hot, babes,” which indicated his interest in the supposed teenager.
As the conversation progressed, it became increasingly explicit, with Haynes sending a video of himself performing a sexual act to the decoy.
The court was informed that Haynes and the decoy had arranged to meet in person for an ice-skating session, a plan that was ultimately thwarted.
Before the meeting could occur, the paedophile hunter group known as Keeping Kids Safe intervened and confronted Haynes.
The group’s intervention led to police involvement, and Haynes was promptly arrested.
During police questioning, he chose to remain silent, answering questions with a “no comment” response.
The authorities then arranged for Haynes to appear via video link from HMP Nottingham for his court hearing.
On January 9, 2018, Haynes appeared in court and pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, which took place on December 8 of the previous year.
Prosecutor David Allan explained that the case involved the use of a decoy by a paedophile hunter group, with the decoy posing as a 13-year-old girl to lure potential offenders.
Further background revealed that Haynes had an extensive criminal record, with 49 previous convictions, many of which were related to burglary.
Additionally, he had a caution issued in 2014 for possessing prohibited images.
Judge Jeremy Lea sentenced Haynes to 16 months in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions.
In addition to his prison sentence, Haynes was subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order and will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years.
The judge also reminded Haynes that the individual he believed to be a young girl was, in fact, a decoy, and highlighted his repeated communication with the decoy over multiple occasions.
Judge Lea pointed out that Haynes’s attraction to young girls was evident from his prior caution, underscoring the ongoing risk he posed to the community.
