JOHN O’KEEFFE CAUGHT IN ISLINGTON: PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED AFTER GROOMING YOUNG GIRLS ONLINE

In a disturbing case that unfolded in Islington, John O’Keeffe, aged 57, was confronted by vigilant paedophile hunters at his residence on Caledonian Road on February 20. The confrontation followed a series of online grooming attempts where O’Keeffe engaged with decoys on Facebook and WhatsApp, targeting two young girls between February 12 and his arrest date.

O’Keeffe pleaded guilty to multiple charges in connection with his online predatory behavior. Specifically, he admitted to two counts of sexual communication with a child at Snaresbrook Crown Court on March 22. Later, in July, he also pleaded guilty to two additional counts related to arranging to meet a child for sexual purposes. After spending seven months in custody, he appeared before the court again on September 19 for sentencing, visibly present in the dock throughout the proceedings.

Prosecutor Lucy McGarr detailed the disturbing interactions O’Keeffe had with the first decoy. She explained that he initiated contact via Facebook, complimenting her on her appearance and expressing a desire to meet despite her claiming to be only 14 years old. O’Keeffe allegedly told her he had a comfortable double bed and suggested they could spend a day together at the zoo. The court was told that he also offered to 'make love' to her, to which she responded that she was a virgin. O’Keeffe then replied, “One day you will lose it and become a woman. It’s up to you.”

Further, he proposed visiting him in London for sex, but the girl insisted she had to be 16, to which O’Keeffe responded, “That’s the law but we do not have to tell anyone.” The court heard that he later sent a nude photo of himself and requested one in return. He also suggested they could cuddle instead and even implied oral sex, offering a night in a hotel where they could engage in sexual activity if she was not ready for intercourse.

The grooming did not stop there. O’Keeffe then turned his attention to another decoy, who appeared to be a 12-year-old girl based on her Facebook profile. He employed similar tactics, offering a trip to the zoo and a meeting in London. Initially, he claimed they would not have sex because she was too young, but then he suggested they could use condoms to ensure her safety. When she mentioned her mother had not explained sex to her, O’Keeffe provided an explicit explanation and even sent a photograph of a woman’s vagina, the court was told.

O’Keeffe’s arrest was facilitated by paedophile hunters who contacted police after the suspect was found at his North London address. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Louise Kamill briefly considered awarding compensation to the paedophile hunting group to support their future operations. This suggestion was met with some approval from O’Keeffe himself, but was ultimately discouraged by Mr Forsyth, who questioned the legality of certain groups involved in such activities, suggesting some operate more ethically than others.

In her judgment, Judge Kamill acknowledged O’Keeffe’s personal circumstances, including his responsibilities towards his 88-year-old mother, and characterized the case as an aberration in his life. She emphasized the seriousness of the offenses but also considered mitigation. O’Keeffe was sentenced to a two-year prison term suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid community work, adhere to a curfew from 6 am to 8 pm, and was placed under an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Furthermore, he will be registered as a sex offender for the next seven years, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.