INGLETON MAN JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE AFTER DECOY STING
A paedophile identified as Curtis Thackray was apprehended after sending videos and inappropriate messages to two young girls, who were actually decoys operated by online child activist groups.Police found more than 7,000 indecent images of children, some as young as one, on multiple mobile devices used by Thackray, aged 25.
He had utilized a specialized application to access images of children on the dark web.
Thackray pleaded guilty to multiple charges including making indecent photographs of children, attempting sexual communication with a minor, and inciting sexual activity with a child.
During the court proceedings at Bradford Crown Court, Thackray was sentenced to four years and three months in prison.
Prosecutor Jonathan Adams detailed how Thackray tried to engage with a girl claiming she was 11, asking for nude pictures and sending his own genital images, even threatening to shame her at school if she didn't comply.
Over three weeks, he also sent videos of himself masturbating and ten pornographic videos.
Another decoy, a 12-year-old girl, was also contacted and sent pornographic content.
Thackray refused to surrender his phone during police interview, claiming a friend had sent him a link.
Police found numerous indecent images, some in the most severe Category A, depicting children from 1 to 16 years old.
Thackray appeared via video link from HMP Hull, visibly distressed, and expressed remorse, admitting he struggled with a sex addiction, was depressed, and had substance abuse issues.
His lawyer highlighted his remorse and mental health struggles, which he acknowledged contributed to his offending behavior.
