GRAHAM TURPIN'S HORRIFIC PLANS IN QUENDON AND SWINDON: CHILD SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT WITH DEAD WIFE'S PHOTO AND CHILD ABUSE PLOT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Graham Turpin, a 67-year-old man from Quendon, Essex, was arrested in Swindon after traveling from his home to meet what he believed was a 10-year-old girl for the purpose of sexual assault. The incident unfolded in June 2020, revealing a meticulously planned attempt to commit heinous acts against a minor, with Turpin bringing an array of items to facilitate his criminal intentions.

According to court records, Turpin had engaged in online conversations for three months with an individual he believed was the mother of the young girl, Chloe. Unbeknownst to him, the woman he was communicating with was actually an undercover officer from Avon and Somerset Police, who had set up the online profile to trap potential offenders. The police investigation uncovered that Turpin had been discussing explicit plans to abuse the child, including sending videos and images of himself performing sexual acts, which the judge described as “classic grooming behavior.”

On the day of the planned meeting, Turpin traveled from his residence in Quendon, Essex, to Swindon, Wiltshire. He arrived equipped with a camcorder, a tripod, 22 condoms, lubricant, massage oil, cash, sweets, and two vibrators—items he believed would be used during the assault. He also carried a photograph of his deceased wife, which he apparently intended to use in some capacity during the meeting. His intent was clear: to carry out a sexual assault on the child and record the act for his own gratification.

During the police arrest in Swindon, Turpin claimed that he was merely following the instructions of the woman he believed to be the child's mother. However, the evidence presented in court painted a different picture. Prosecutor Mark Ashley detailed that Turpin had met the undercover officer on the social media platform True Nudists, where he expressed his interest in naturism and his lack of typical “hang-ups,” provided no one was harmed. The conversation took a dark turn when Turpin discussed the possibility of abusing the child, asking whether she was “ready” or “still too early.”

Further evidence revealed that Turpin had sent explicit videos and images of himself, and had asked the supposed mother to molest the girl. The plan was to meet in a public place in Swindon before moving to a private residence, where the assault was to take place. The police intervention prevented the crime from occurring, but the evidence was enough to charge Turpin with serious offenses.

At Swindon Crown Court, Judge Jason Taylor QC sentenced Turpin to four years and eight months in prison. The judge emphasized the severity of Turpin’s intentions, stating, “Your entire interest and purpose was the sexual abuse and rape of a 10-year-old child, and I have no doubt that had she existed, you would have carried out your degenerate plan.”

Turpin’s background was also highlighted during the proceedings. He was described as a retired City of London worker and a charity steward associated with a Freemason’s lodge, where he had raised significant funds for charitable causes. Despite his seemingly respectable background, his actions in this case were deemed profoundly criminal.

In addition to his prison sentence, Turpin was ordered to abide by a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and to register as a sex offender indefinitely. The court condemned the meticulous planning involved in the attempted crime, noting that he had come prepared with various items, including two vibrators, condoms, lubricant, a camera, and a laptop, all intended to facilitate the abuse of the child. The judge described the case as one of the worst he had seen, underscoring the danger posed by individuals like Turpin and the importance of strict sentencing to protect the community.