JOHN BOOTHROYD CAUGHT IN PADGATE PAEDOPHILE HUNT EXPOSED IN LIVERPOOL COURT

In a disturbing case that highlights ongoing concerns about online grooming and child safety, John Boothroyd, a resident of Vulcan Close in Padgate, was convicted of multiple sex offences after being caught in a sting operation conducted by self-styled paedophile hunters. The incident unfolded after Boothroyd believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl, but in reality, he was interacting with members of the Dark Justice group, an undercover operation based in Newcastle.

Dark Justice, established in 2014 by two friends, operates with the primary goal of identifying and prosecuting individuals attempting to groom children online. The group’s two co-founders explained that their operation involves creating decoy profiles to attract potential offenders. In this particular case, they set up a fake profile representing a 13-year-old girl within an online gaming community where children and teenagers exchange tips and chat about various games.

According to the co-founder, the decoy profile posted a message about a Facebook game similar to Tetris, which resulted in approximately ten requests from individuals interested in connecting. Among these was John Boothroyd. The group’s members quickly identified his intentions as malicious, noting that he was engaging in inappropriate and vile conversations despite being informed of the decoy’s age. One of the first disturbing comments Boothroyd made was that he sought help with a “daddy-daughter fantasy,” revealing his predatory mindset.

The online interaction between Boothroyd and the decoy began on November 16. Over the following weeks, the group continued to monitor the conversation. On December 12, members of Dark Justice visited Boothroyd’s home in Warrington and subsequently contacted the police, who arrived at the scene. Unaware of the group’s presence, Boothroyd was taken into custody after officers examined the evidence provided by the hunters.

Dark Justice emphasized that their approach does not involve live Facebook videos or public shaming, as they believe such tactics can complicate police investigations and legal proceedings. Since its inception, the group claims to have secured 74 convictions, with numerous cases still progressing through the justice system. The co-founder highlighted that their efforts are partly driven by the reduction in police resources, stating, “We have been forced to do this by the Government.”

John Boothroyd faced a court hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, where he was sentenced on January 18. His convictions include attempting to meet a child under 16 for sexual purposes, attempting to incite a child into sexual activity, and breaching a sexual harm prevention order. His case underscores the ongoing threat posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant community and law enforcement efforts to protect children from exploitation.