DEAN O’NEIL FROM IRONVILLE CAUGHT IN SHOCKING CHILD GROOMING PLOT IN DERBYSHIRE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Ironville and the wider Derbyshire area, Dean O’Neil was found guilty of attempting to sexually exploit a seven-year-old girl. The incident unfolded in April 2021, when O’Neil arranged to meet what he believed was the young girl for sexual abuse, having previously negotiated terms with her supposed father through online communications.

According to court proceedings, O’Neil had booked a hotel room at a Travelodge in Swanwick, Derbyshire, with the explicit intention of engaging in sexual activities with the child. The defendant had also purchased various gifts, including make-up, pajamas, and clothing, which he intended to give to the girl during the planned meeting. These actions were part of a calculated grooming process, as the court heard, aimed at luring the young girl into a sexual encounter.

The entire operation was orchestrated by an undercover police officer who was posing as the girl’s father. The officer engaged in conversations with O’Neil via the social media platform Kik, where they discussed the details of the meeting, including the price of £200 and a Burger King meal as part of the arrangement. The officer revealed that O’Neil had also admitted to viewing child sexual abuse images, further highlighting the severity of his intentions.

On March 30, 2021, law enforcement officers visited O’Neil’s residence on Casson Street in Ironville to arrest him. As officers arrived, O’Neil attempted to escape through the back door of his home but was quickly apprehended. A search of his property uncovered the gifts he had purchased for the child, confirming his grooming intentions and premeditated plans.

During the court hearing, Recorder Balraj Bhattia condemned O’Neil’s actions, describing them as enthusiastic and calculated. The judge emphasized that O’Neil had discussed specific details about the abuse, including when and where it would take place, and expressed his sexual arousal and anticipation for the encounter. The court recognized this as clear grooming behavior.

O’Neil, who resides on Casson Street in Ironville, pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a girl under the age of 13 following sexual grooming. Although he has a criminal record with 16 previous convictions spanning 33 offences, none of these were of a similar nature. Nonetheless, the court took a stern stance on his latest actions.

In addition to the three-year prison sentence, Recorder Bhattia imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, which will restrict O’Neil’s activities and contact with minors. Furthermore, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from future harm.