ST IVES PAEDOPHILE DAVID SOUTHBY CAUGHT IN UNDERCOVER POLICE OPERATION AT SALTASH TRAVELODGE

In a disturbing case that highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation, David Southby, a 55-year-old resident of Parc-An-Creet in St Ives, was caught in a sting operation conducted by undercover police officers. The incident unfolded in November 2019, when Southby was found to have engaged in a series of highly inappropriate and illegal communications with an individual he believed to be a pre-teen girl, but who was actually an undercover officer posing as a young girl.

Southby’s actions came to light after he exchanged a series of explicit messages and images, which included requests for photographs of a sexual nature, such as pictures of the girl in her underwear and in sexually suggestive poses. The police prosecutor, Emily Cook, detailed the nature of the messages, which were deeply disturbing and indicative of grooming behavior. Southby also sent a video of himself masturbating and instructed the supposed girl on how to masturbate, further demonstrating his intent to engage in sexual activity with a minor.

According to the evidence presented at Truro Crown Court, Southby had arranged to meet the girl at a Saltash Travelodge. He instructed her to tell the hotel staff that she was his daughter, claiming it would “look funny” if she used her real identity. After initially leaving his home to meet her, Southby experienced a change of heart, texting the girl to say that the weather was too bad for their meeting. Despite this, a second meeting was scheduled, but Southby was arrested by police on September 24 before it could occur.

During police interviews, Southby read a prepared statement but ultimately offered no comment. He acknowledged that there had been contact with the individual but denied knowing she was under 16, claiming he had no intention of meeting her. The prosecution emphasized that there was a significant element of planning and grooming involved in Southby’s conduct, which took place over a period from July to September of that year.

On Thursday, November 21, Southby appeared before Judge Robert Linford at Truro Crown Court to be sentenced. Having previously pleaded guilty to three charges—attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child under 13, attempting to incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and arranging or facilitating a child sex offence—Southby faced the consequences of his actions. The judge described the offenses as extremely serious, noting the explicit nature of the texts and images sent, and the grooming involved.

Judge Linford stated, “All your offences involved attempts to communicate with and meet somebody you believed to be under the age of 16. You sent extremely explicit texts and photos and sought to obtain them in response. This was extremely serious offending.” He further explained that if the police officer had been portraying a real child, Southby would have faced a lengthy prison sentence, potentially five years or more. However, because the case involved attempts rather than actual contact with a minor, the judge sentenced Southby to a two-year community order.

In addition to the community order, Southby was subjected to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, required to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years, and ordered to attend 31 sessions of a sex offender treatment program. Judge Linford emphasized the importance of cooperation, warning that failure to comply would result in immediate imprisonment. He concluded by stating, “This is the one and only opportunity you will get.”