ANDOVER MAN IAN MACE SENTENCED AFTER TRAVELING HUNDREDS OF MILES TO SCOTLAND TO MEET 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL FOR SEX

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online predators, Ian Mace, a man from Andover, was recently sentenced to prison after traveling hundreds of miles to meet a teenage girl for sexual activity. The incident unfolded earlier this year when Mace, aged 51 at the time, embarked on a 400-mile journey to Scotland, believing he was going to meet a 14-year-old girl he had been communicating with extensively online.

Over the course of approximately one month, Mace had exchanged thousands of messages with the girl via WhatsApp and the app Highfive. These messages contained inappropriate and indecent content, reflecting his intent to engage in sexual activity with the minor. However, upon arriving at the designated meeting point, Mace was met with a shocking revelation: the girl he thought he was meeting was not real. Instead, he encountered members of a paedophile hunters group known as 'Rising Against Online Predators.'

This group describes itself as a team dedicated to removing individuals who exploit children online, aiming to make the internet a safer space for minors. The group’s efforts led to Mace’s arrest and subsequent legal proceedings. During a previous court appearance at Hamilton Sheriff Court, Mace admitted to communicating indecently with 'Kelly' and attempting to meet her between February and March 2018.

Following the culmination of the case, on Friday, August 21, Mace was sentenced to a total of 30 months in prison. The court’s decision was based on the reports presented and the arguments made by counsel, which led to a structured sentencing. Mace received a six-month sentence for the initial charge, with an additional 24 months for the subsequent charge, to be served consecutively. The court also ordered Mace to be placed on the sex offenders’ register, reflecting the severity of his actions.

At the sentencing hearing, Mace was present and accepted the court’s ruling. The judge emphasized the importance of protecting children from online predators and highlighted the seriousness of traveling across regions with the intent to commit such offenses. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community groups to combat online exploitation and safeguard vulnerable minors from predatory individuals like Ian Mace from Andover.