PLYMOUTH MAN SENTENCED IN ONLINE PAEDOPHILE STING
Darren Langford, a 53-year-old man from Keyes Close, Plymouth, was involved in a disturbing online incident where he engaged in communication with a decoy representing a girl under 16, named Megan.The investigation revealed that Langford initiated contact on April 6, 2022, using a false name, 'Chris', to hide his identity.
His messages included comments like 'nice picture Princess' and 'certainly wish I was younger'.
Despite being informed she was 14 and from Durham, Langford continued communicating with her, sending hundreds of messages.
The messages escalated quickly to sexual content, with Langford asking for photographs and making explicit remarks such as 'I would f*** you on the sand as well babes' and 'would you mind if I have a w*** when I'm looking at your amazing pictures'.
Notably, on April 17, 2022, he sent a photo of his genitalia to the decoy.
This led to the decoy’s team, known as the 'Child Online Safety Team', setting up a meeting which resulted in Langford's detention and subsequent police involvement.
Police confiscated his phone, which contained further incriminating chat logs, including nine other conversations with girls suspected of being underage.
These findings indicate a pattern of offending behavior.
It was also noted that Langford had a previous conviction for sexual offenses, including rape in 1998.
During sentencing at Plymouth Crown Court, the judge acknowledged that Langford was aware from the start that 'Megan' was under 16.
The judge highlighted Langford's sexual interest in children, supported by his prior conviction and the sexualized nature of the messages.
The court handed him a 12-month jail sentence, which was suspended for two years due to his remorse, early guilty plea, and attempts at rehabilitation.
The court also imposed a supervision requirement involving sex offender treatment, a rehabilitation activity requirement, a 120-day alcohol abstinence order, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order with indefinite conditions.
Langford was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years and barred from working with children for life.
He was also ordered to pay costs of £150.
