LINTHORPE MAN DANIEL HACKETT CAUGHT ONLINE PREDATOR NEAR TEESSIDE AND LEEDS

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Middlesbrough and Teesside communities, Daniel Hackett, a 31-year-old man from Linthorpe, was caught engaging in highly inappropriate online conversations with an undercover police officer posing as an 11-year-old girl. The incident, which took place in July 2018, revealed Hackett’s attempt to establish a sexual relationship with a minor through digital communication channels, raising serious concerns about online safety and predatory behavior.

Hackett, who was married at the time, believed he was communicating with a young girl named Hannah, who used the online handle “Princess Unicorn.” In reality, he was speaking to an undercover officer. During their chat, Hackett claimed to be a teenage girl from Leeds named Caitlin, using a random stranger’s photograph to maintain his deception. His conversations quickly turned explicit, with Hackett asking about Hannah’s romantic interests and her body, and even suggesting they meet in a park or hotel to engage in sexual activity. He insisted that their meeting should be kept secret from her parents, emphasizing the clandestine nature of his intentions.

On November 29 of the previous year, Hackett continued his inappropriate dialogue via Skype, where he introduced himself as Caitlin’s brother, claiming to be 30 years old. The prosecutor, Jenny Haigh, detailed that the conversation rapidly escalated to discussions of sex and relationships, with Hackett probing for details about the girl’s body and her sexual experiences. His language was explicit, and he proposed that they meet in a hotel for sex, again stressing the need for secrecy.

Following his arrest, authorities seized Hackett’s phone and computer. An investigation revealed no evidence of further offending or additional conversations beyond those with the undercover officer. Hackett admitted that he was home alone at the time and that he had falsely portrayed himself as a 16-year-old girl to facilitate conversations with different people online. He explained that his actions were driven by a desire to talk to various individuals without any real intent to meet or harm a minor.

During the court hearing at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Howard Crowson addressed Hackett directly, stating, “You’re not going to prison and I suspect that’s what’s been frightening you.” Instead of incarceration, Hackett was sentenced to an 18-month community order, which includes participation in a sex offender group work program and 25 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, he was issued a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his contact with anyone under 16 and limits his internet use. Both the order and his registration on the sex offenders’ register will remain in effect for five years, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the need for ongoing monitoring.

Earlier in May 2018, Hackett’s online activities had already come under scrutiny when police, posing as an 11-year-old girl, engaged him in a chat room. The police had set up a sting operation in a chat room called Lycos, where Hackett entered into a highly sexualized conversation with an officer pretending to be a young girl named Hannah. During this interaction, Hackett asked to meet in a hotel for sex, despite being told that Hannah was only 11 years old. He also sent images of a teenage girl he found online, claiming they were of Caitlin. The police tracked his IP address to his home in Linthorpe, leading to his arrest.

At the subsequent court hearing, Hackett pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual conversations with a child. He claimed that he had not created the profile specifically for sexual purposes and that he was simply seeking to talk to someone online. He also stated that he believed Hannah was 18 and had no real intention of meeting her. Despite his claims, the court found sufficient evidence of his predatory behavior, and his sentencing is scheduled to take place at Teesside Crown Court, where a pre-sentence report has been prepared. Hackett remains on unconditional bail until his sentencing date, which will determine the final outcome of this troubling case.