DAVID COLLINS SENTENCED IN HIGHBRIDGE FOR ATTEMPTED CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES IN KENT

In a disturbing case that highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation, David Collins, a 51-year-old resident of Highbridge in Somerset, was sentenced to a decade behind bars for his attempt to travel from Somerset to Kent with the intent of sexually abusing an eight-year-old girl.

Throughout the investigation, Collins engaged in a series of online communications with two women, during which he explicitly detailed his desire to carry out sexual acts on their young daughter. He also discussed plans to bring gifts to the child during visits, revealing a disturbing level of premeditation and excitement about the potential abuse.

On the morning of April 17, Collins attempted to hitchhike his way to Maidstone in Kent, aiming to meet the women and carry out his sinister intentions. However, his plans were thwarted when he sent a text message to one of the women, complaining that he was having difficulty securing lifts and had only managed to travel approximately 100 miles in the 17 hours since he left his home in Highbridge.

Unbeknownst to Collins, he was communicating with undercover police officers from Kent Police’s paedophile online investigation team. The officers had been monitoring his online activity and recognized his intentions. The police arrested Collins on a slip road of the M4 motorway in Somerset, effectively preventing any further progress in his plans.

During police interviews, Collins claimed that he would not have gone through with the act if he had been given the opportunity. He stated that if the women had truly been willing to facilitate the abuse, he would have alerted the authorities. He also insisted that his interest in the girl was purely familial, describing his intended relationship as an ‘uncle type relationship’ rather than anything inappropriate.

Following a thorough investigation and trial at Maidstone Crown Court, Collins was found guilty of two serious charges: arranging the commission of a child sexual offence and arranging the involvement of a child in pornography. On November 27, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Additionally, he received an extended license period of two years, which is a measure to monitor and restrict his activities after his release. A concurrent six-year sentence for the possession and arrangement of child abuse images was also handed down, though it runs alongside his primary sentence.

This case underscores the persistent efforts of law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to exploit children, especially through online platforms. The sentencing sends a clear message about the serious consequences of such heinous crimes and the commitment of authorities to protect vulnerable minors from predatory behavior.