JAMES BAREFIELD FROM HERSHAM SENTENCED FOR ONLINE SEX OFFENSES INVOLVING TEEN GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the community of Hersham, James Barefield, a 32-year-old teacher, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of engaging in highly inappropriate online behavior involving minors. The incident came to light when Barefield, who resided on Thrupps Lane in Hersham, was caught using a web-cam to record himself in a state of undress while communicating with an undercover police officer posing as a teenage girl.

According to court records, Barefield had been actively using the internet for over two decades, during which he engaged in conversations with approximately 90 women, at least 20 of whom were under the age of 16. His online alias was ‘fast finger,’ a moniker that reflected his inappropriate and predatory behavior on the Chatline website. The charges against him included attempting to induce sexual activity in the presence of a minor for the purpose of sexual gratification.

The court heard that in July of the previous year, Barefield initiated contact with a girl he believed to be 14 years old, living in London. In reality, the individual he was communicating with was an undercover police officer conducting an operation. The interactions quickly turned explicit, with the prosecutor, Michael Mulkerrins, describing how Barefield’s conversations became filled with sexual innuendo and explicit suggestions.

During the police investigation, it was revealed that Barefield had been filmed in his bedroom, naked, while engaging in sexual acts. The footage showed him touching himself in a sexual manner, and he continued this behavior while talking to the undercover officer, who was posing as ‘Beth,’ on July 22. The court was shown evidence of Barefield’s actions, which included him suggesting to the girl that he show her his buttocks and then proceeding to film himself in a sexual context.

Despite pleading guilty to the charges, a probation officer’s report indicated that Barefield still lacked insight into the severity of his actions. The report highlighted his ongoing denial and failure to fully comprehend the harm caused by his behavior. Following his arrest and conviction, Barefield was dismissed from his teaching position. The incident prompted a strong community response, with parents and pupils at his school on the Isle of Man establishing a support page on Facebook, which garnered over 300 members before being shut down.

During the court proceedings, defense lawyer Wayne Cleaver argued that many of Barefield’s colleagues, as well as parents and students, would still support him and that he was a person of good character, citing references from fellow teachers, a school governor, and a parent. However, Judge Stephen Robbins emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating, “I have to sentence you for this reprehensible behavior.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Barefield was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next five years and was prohibited from working with children in any capacity. As he was led away to serve his sentence, he briefly smiled and gave a thumbs-up to his parents, a gesture that drew mixed reactions from those present. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Hersham, highlighting the dangers of online predators and the importance of vigilance in protecting minors from exploitation.