JAMES KILLNER FROM SPALDING ESCAPES JAIL AFTER PREDATORY BEHAVIOR TOWARD DECOY TEENS IN LINCOLNSHIRE

In a case that has drawn significant attention within Lincolnshire, James Killner, a 50-year-old resident of Spalding Common, narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment after engaging in disturbing online communications with what he believed were underage girls on Facebook. The incident, which unfolded between late January and early February 2019, involved Killner sending inappropriate messages and images to decoys set up by a paedophile hunting group, with the aim of luring him into sexual misconduct.

According to court proceedings, the authorities became aware of Killner’s actions in January 2019 when a family member reported his online activity to the police. Prosecutor Dawn Pritchard explained that Killner had contacted five different profiles, all of which were fake accounts created by the paedophile hunters to simulate the presence of underage girls. These decoys were named Ashley, Charlotte, Lily, Elle, and Sophie, representing girls aged 13 or 14.

During the trial at Lincoln Crown Court, it was revealed that Killner had attempted to incite these decoys to engage in sexual activities. He encouraged the decoy posing as a 14-year-old girl named Ashley to touch herself and engaged in conversations about boys and sex. Additionally, he sent explicit photographs of himself to her. Similar interactions took place with the other decoys, including encouraging a second 14-year-old, Charlotte, to touch herself, and engaging in sexualized conversations with Lily, a 13-year-old decoy. The court also heard that Killner had similar exchanges with Elle, another 14-year-old, and Sophie, a 13-year-old.

When arrested and questioned on February 8, 2019, Killner chose not to comment on the allegations but indicated during his initial court appearance that he intended to plead guilty. The court was informed that the offences occurred over a period of about a week, from January 31 to February 8, 2019.

In delivering his sentence, Recorder James House QC acknowledged that Killner’s actions clearly exceeded the threshold for custodial punishment. However, he also took into account the significant delay of three and a half years in bringing the case to court, as well as Killner’s apparent progress and the fact that the victims were not real children but decoys. The judge emphasized the importance of considering the context of the case.

As a result, Killner was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete a Sexual Offenders Treatment Program and was placed under a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Additionally, he is required to undertake 30 days of rehabilitation activities aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending. This case highlights ongoing concerns about online predatory behavior and the efforts of law enforcement and volunteer groups to combat such crimes in Lincolnshire.