GARY BRADLEY FROM WIVENHOE CAUGHT SENDING EXPLICIT PICTURES TO 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN US HOMELAND SECURITY SCAM

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online predators, Gary Bradley, a 53-year-old man from Wivenhoe, was found to have engaged in inappropriate and illegal communications with what he believed was a 13-year-old girl. However, the individual on the other end of the conversation was actually an undercover officer working for the US Homeland Security, aiming to catch predators attempting to exploit minors through digital platforms.

Bradley, a painter and decorator residing on Chaney Road in Wivenhoe, used the messaging app Kik to send explicit images and engage in sexual conversations. During the exchanges, he sent a photograph of himself masturbating, engaged in sexually explicit chat, and asked the supposed girl, “Have you taken any naughty pictures?” His actions were part of a deliberate attempt to cause a minor to view sexual content for his own gratification.

On October 21 of the previous year, Bradley admitted to attempting to induce a child aged between 13 and 15 to view an image of sexual activity. Prosecutor Charlotte Davison outlined that Bradley used the profile name ‘gazdec’ and acknowledged he was a 50-year-old man from the UK. She detailed that he sent explicit images, including photographs of himself masturbating, and encouraged the girl to reciprocate with similar images. Some of the images included his face, which were later matched to photographs taken at his home when police visited the residence.

Following the investigation, Bradley was brought before Chelmsford Crown Court, where he received a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. In addition to the suspended sentence, he was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, participate in a 40-day rehabilitation activity program, and pay costs amounting to £320. The court also imposed a sexual harm prevention order and mandated that Bradley sign the sex offenders’ register for a period of ten years.

Earlier in June 2017, Bradley’s attempt to send explicit images to a supposed 13-year-old girl was uncovered through an online investigation conducted by American authorities. The investigation revealed that Bradley believed he was communicating with a minor, but in reality, he was speaking with an undercover officer. Bradley used Kik Messenger, a platform with approximately 300 million users as of May 2016, which has faced criticism for its lack of safeguards for children due to its emphasis on user anonymity.

During the court proceedings at Colchester Magistrates Court, Philip Pearson, the prosecutor, explained that police in the United States had received information from investigators conducting the operation in 2016. The undercover officer created a fake profile claiming to be a 13-year-old girl and engaged in sexual conversations with Bradley, who believed he was speaking to a minor. Bradley admitted to sending explicit images and encouraging the girl to send similar content back to him. His case is scheduled for sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court next month, where further legal action will be taken against him for his actions.