Portslade paedophile Ian Collard jailed for preying on autistic girl

PORTSLADE PAEDOPHILE IAN COLLARD JAILED FOR PREYING ON AUTISTIC GIRL

A paedophile named Ian Collard, aged 28, has been sentenced to two years in prison for sending inappropriate and sickening messages to a 13-year-old girl with autism.

Collard expressed a desire to rape the girl and repeatedly asked to meet her via Facebook earlier this year.

The victim confided in her mother, who then involved Shadow Hunters UK, a vigilante group, to trap Collard in Victoria Park, Portslade, on June 3, where he had arranged to meet her.

Collard was operating under the alias James Pollard at the time.

Prosecutor Sophie Shotton stated that Collard's messages worsened the child's behavior and caused her to worry he would appear at her school or home.

Concern was also raised by the child's school about her changing conduct.

The vigilante group recorded the encounter, resulting in Collard's arrest.

Collard pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity in June.

He has a long criminal history, with 32 previous convictions over 42 offences dating back to 2009, including a 2016 sentence for sending sexually explicit messages.

His defense claimed he suffers from learning difficulties, attachment disorder, and possibly Asperger’s, and has admitted to not remembering the messages, suggesting he may have been intoxicated when sending them.

Collard was living in George William Mews, Portslade, at the time of the offense.

Judge Christine Laing QC sentenced him to two years and ordered him to be a registered sex offender for ten years, as well as implementing a sexual harm prevention order restricting his access to children and computers.

The judge expressed concern over the gravity of his actions, stating, "You knew full well what you were doing, even if you were to deny it in interview."