GORDON LANE FROM MIDDLESEX ESCAPES JAIL AFTER PREDATORY BEHAVIOR TOWARD POLICE OFFICERS POSED AS CHILDREN

Gordon Lane, a 66-year-old man residing in Middlesex, was found guilty of attempting to engage in sexual communication with individuals he believed to be underage girls, but in reality, he was speaking with police officers posing as minors online. The incident took place between January 5 and February 7, 2023, and was brought to light during a court hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday, December 12.

Lane, a retired banker and the founder of the North Harrow Stroke Group, lives in a modest three-bedroom detached house on The Lawns in Pinner, Middlesex. His interactions involved explicit and inappropriate questions directed at what he thought were underage girls, including one who was only 12 years old. Court documents reveal that Lane asked one decoy, who used the alias 'Maisie,' whether she had 'touched penis,' and made comments suggesting he wanted to 'get them wet.' He also discussed the 'tightness of the vagina' and admitted to masturbation, indicating a disturbing level of sexual interest directed toward the supposed minors.

In addition to these explicit exchanges, the court heard that Lane offered to buy gifts for the decoy, although a separate charge related to attempting to incite sexual activity was dropped by the prosecution. Lane was initially charged and appeared at Willesden Magistrates' Court in September of the previous year. However, he did not enter a plea at that time. It was only after police presented him with the messages he had sent that Lane pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court on November 14, just eight days later.

Prosecutor Dipan Varsani emphasized that these were attempted offenses, clarifying that no actual children were contacted during the incident. He stated, “These were attempted offences. These were not children. These were police officers posing as children on the internet. Thankfully no real children were contacted.”

Defense lawyer Joanna Hardy-Susskind acknowledged that Lane’s messages were 'deeply unattractive' but highlighted his efforts to seek rehabilitation. She described how Lane was visibly distressed during police interviews, weeping and asking, “What have I done?” She urged the court to consider suspending any custodial sentence, emphasizing Lane’s positive contributions to the community. Hardy-Susskind pointed out that Lane had a successful career, which he had given up to care for his family, and that he also runs a stroke club for those affected by strokes, demonstrating his community-minded nature.

Judge John Lodge acknowledged the seriousness of Lane’s actions, describing the offending as 'sustained' and 'deliberate,' and stated that only a custodial sentence would be appropriate. However, considering Lane’s personal mitigation, the judge agreed to suspend the sentence. Lane was sentenced to six months in prison for each of the offences, to run concurrently, but the sentences were suspended for 18 months. Additionally, Lane was ordered to complete 30 hours of rehabilitation activities, pay costs of £400, and is required to register as a sex offender for seven years. He is also subject to a sexual harm prevention order, reflecting the court’s concern for public safety and the seriousness of his conduct.