GARETH WIGNALL

LOUGHBOROUGH MAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES AFTER ONLINE GROOMING

Gareth Wignall, a 41-year-old man from Bridgeland Road, Loughborough, was involved in a serious online sexual misconduct case.

He believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl through social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram.

During these conversations, he sent explicit material, including pornographic videos featuring adults and naked images of himself.

Wignall's interactions became increasingly sexual, with him making explicit comments and expressing a desire to meet the girl and engage in sexual acts.

The encounters were facilitated by vigilante group Justice Reborn, who created a decoy profile named Sophie to lure him.

When confronted near his home while watching an under-16s football match, Wignall made some admissions but otherwise did not comment during his police interview.

He later pleaded guilty to three charges: attempting to engage in sexual communication with a girl under 16, attempting to incite or cause a child to engage in sexual acts, and attempting to cause a child to view sexual images.

The court sentenced him to a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered him to sign the sex offenders register.

The judge emphasized that Wignall’s behavior was influenced by personal circumstances and that he posed no ongoing threat to the public, warning him to avoid re-offending.