CAUGHT BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS
A Geddington man who used Facebook in an attempt to communicate with what he thought was a 14-year-old boy has received a non-custodial sentence.Gregory Branston believed he was chatting with a teenage boy when he sent indecent images of himself in his underwear and discussed sexual acts.
Unbeknownst to him, he was messaging online paedophile hunters who operated a fake profile within the group Saving Our Children Online.
The conversation grew increasingly sexual, with Branston asking if the 'boy' had carried out a sex act and offering advice on how to do so.
He also submitted pictures of himself and requested images in return.
There were suggestions he might have intended to meet the decoy.
Subsequently, another paedophile hunter group, Phoenix Guardians of the Innocent, confronted Branston at his home, resulting in his arrest.
He fully cooperated with police, admitting guilt during interviews, leading to charges of attempted sexual communication with a minor and attempting to encourage sexual activity.
During sentencing, his solicitor, William Forber-Heyward, explained Branston's feelings of loneliness and limited social contact, emphasizing his potential for rehabilitation.
The defendant expressed remorse for his actions.
At Northampton Crown Court, Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane imposed an 18-month community order, including 40 days of rehabilitation programs.
Branston must also register as a sex offender for ten years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for that period.
The judge noted Branston’s genuine shame as part of her decision.
