DAVID HARPER SENTENCED IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In May 2021, David Harper, from Huntingdon Road in Wyton, was involved in a case where he believed he was communicating with a 12-year-old girl but was actually talking to an undercover police officer in Cambridgeshire.

The incident began on 27 February 2019, when Harper started messaging the officer. Their online conversations lasted for two days during which Harper, aged 33, sent five explicit images of his genitals, mistakenly thinking he was emailing a minor.

Following the communication, authorities identified Harper and arrested him as he was heading to work. His phone, along with two laptops and a USB drive, were seized from his residence in Hauxton. Forensic analysis of these devices revealed a clear sexual interest in children.

During police interviews, Harper acknowledged speaking with the person he believed was a girl but claimed he knew she was an adult and sent the explicit images 'for a laugh.' He also stated that he would not have engaged in such conversations if he had known she was 12. When asked further questions, Harper replied with 'no comment.'

Ultimately, he pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and was sentenced to eight months in prison. The sentence was suspended for two years at Peterborough Crown Court.