DAVID GORDON FROM DEWSBURY CAUGHT IN ONLINE PREDATOR PLOT INVOLVING TEEN GIRL IN LEEDS

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilant law enforcement, David Gordon, a resident of Dewsbury, was caught in a sting operation orchestrated by a group posing as a teenage girl. The incident unfolded in Leeds, where Gordon had recently been released from prison and was under strict legal restrictions due to his previous sexual offenses.

According to court proceedings at Leeds Crown Court, Gordon had been given an extended custodial sentence for prior sexual misconduct. He was released from prison on July 24 of the same year, but a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) remained in effect, explicitly limiting his interactions with girls under the age of 16. Despite these restrictions, within just a few weeks of his release, Gordon engaged in online conversations with a girl he believed to be 15 years old.

The online group, known as Parents Against Paedophiles, set up a fake social media profile under the name “Jodie Shaw” to simulate a teenage girl. They provided her with a mobile phone number to facilitate direct communication with Gordon, who was unaware that the profile was part of an undercover operation. Prosecutor Alisha Kaye explained that Gordon continued to exchange messages with “Jodie,” despite knowing her age and the fact that he was subject to legal restrictions. During the conversations, he revealed that he had previously served time in prison for sexual activity involving a 14-year-old girl and acknowledged that he was under certain conditions.

When questioned about whether he was permitted to communicate with “Jodie,” Gordon admitted, “No not really,” but he proceeded to continue the contact regardless. His messages included inappropriate comments, such as expressing a desire to see her in school uniform and asking what she was doing. When she mentioned she was about to take a shower, he offered to wash her back. He also made a disturbing remark about police following him, saying he “would be back to the nick,” a slang term for prison.

The group involved in the sting contacted the police, leading to Gordon’s arrest on August 27. During police interviews, Gordon claimed that he was aware the messages were not from a real teenager and insisted he was trying to “catch her out.” His defense lawyer, Mr. Anastasis Tassou, argued that there was a lack of deception on Gordon’s part, noting that he provided his real name, age, and even disclosed his prison history. He suggested that Gordon might benefit from community-based interventions and proposed deferring sentencing to assess his compliance.

However, Judge Simon Phillips QC dismissed this suggestion. The judge emphasized that the probation service had identified a clear pattern of sexual offending involving pre-pubescent females. Given the seriousness of the case, the judge decided that Gordon should serve his sentence in custody. Gordon, aged 48 and residing on Albion Street in Dewsbury, pleaded guilty to attempting to breach his Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Consequently, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, reflecting the gravity of his actions and the ongoing concern over his potential risk to the community.