MAN CONVICTED AND SENTENCED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT A 13-YEAR-OLD ONLINE AND FACING VIGILANTE CONFRONTATION
Kevin Wilkes, a 58-year-old man formerly from Johnson Avenue, Prescot, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court for attempting to communicate sexually with a child.Wilkes pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a girl to engage in sexual activity.
The court heard that he began chatting with a decoy profile set up by the Child Online Safety Team, believing it was a 13-year-old girl.
He interacted with her via WhatsApp and Facebook, with the messages becoming sexualized, and he sent a photo of himself in his boxer shorts.
The prosecutor, Chris Taylor, detailed that Wilkes made references to "being horny and pornography" and claimed the messages involved "sex videos." Wilkes’ actions were confronted by vigilantes after they tricked his employers into confirming his location, which resulted in a 31-minute live-streamed confrontation outside his workplace.
During the incident, Wilkes was interrogated by the group, which led to his address being shared publicly and subsequently, injuries to two police officers attending the scene.
Wilkes had a prior conviction about 40 years ago for indecent assault.
He was remanded in custody prior to sentencing and was ordered to attend a Horizon probation course, perform 10 days of rehabilitation activities, sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years, and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.
Wilkes expressed remorse, acknowledging his behavior was shameful and disgusting, and explained that he felt depressed and lonely following his marriage breakdown, which contributed to his alcohol abuse.
He also mentioned the humiliating experience during the confrontation and the damage caused to his safety, which forced him to move out of his residence.
