FIR VALE MAN EXPOSED FOR HENIOUS CRIMES AGAINST A 12 YEAR OLD DECOY
CAUGHT IN A POLICE STING: PREDATOR JAILED AFTER TRYING TO GROOM "12-YEAR-OLD GIRL" A twisted sex predator who believed he was grooming a 12-year-old girl online has been jailed after sending explicit sexual messages and videos of himself masturbating.Darrel Kettleborough, 42, of Skinnerthorpe Road, Fir Vale, targeted who he thought was a vulnerable young child in a disturbing series of online conversations filled with graphic sexual content.
But the "girl" was in fact an undercover police officer posing as a child in a covert operation targeting online predators.
Sheffield Crown Court heard Kettleborough repeatedly tried to sexualise the conversations and attempted to pressure the fake child into carrying out sexual acts.
In one shocking exchange, he encouraged the supposed 12-year-old to use the handle of a hairbrush to perform a sex act on herself.
The court also heard the predator sent explicit images and videos of himself masturbating while communicating with the account.
Judge David Dixon condemned Kettleborough's actions as "depraved" while sentencing him to 40 months in prison.
The judge told him: "You fall to be sentenced for trying to talk to a 12-year-old girl in a grossly inappropriate way - a completely inappropriate way that most people would regard as being depraved." "Not only were you trying to talk to her, you shared images of you masturbating." Police arrested Kettleborough on June 28, 2021, just weeks after the online communications came to an end.
He later admitted four serious sexual offences: • Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child • Two counts of attempting to cause or incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual actıvity •Attempting to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13 Although no real child was harmed, Judge Dixon said Kettleborough's intentions were unmistakable.
—————————————————————————————————— Darrell Kettleborough appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court on 13th May 2025 for a case management hearing.
The defendant faces allegations of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and an interim SHPO.
The case was listed under reference 14XQ1044825.
The court heard that Kettleborough, from Sheffield, has been accused of failing to comply with restrictions set out in the court orders designed to protect others.
He did not enter a plea at this preliminary stage.
Magistrates scheduled a further hearing to consider the case in detail and for Kettleborough to enter pleas.
The court ordered that he remain on bail ahead of the next hearing.
This case reflects ongoing efforts by courts to enforce orders intended to prevent further harm.
Kettleborough's next court appearance is yet to be scheduled.
No further details about the allegations or the defendant's background were disclosed during the hearing.
The case continues to be under review.
