LEE STRIDE FROM NEW FOREST ESCAPES JAIL AFTER TRYING TO MEET 14-YEAR-OLD BOY FOR SEX

In a case that has shocked the local community, Lee Stride, a man with connections to the New Forest area, was found guilty of attempting to meet a minor for sexual activity but was ultimately spared immediate imprisonment. The incident unfolded in Hampshire, where Stride, who is known to have ties to the New Forest region, engaged in a disturbing online conversation with what he believed was a 14-year-old boy.

According to court reports, Stride, who was employed as a supermarket worker and whose exact residence remains unconfirmed, initiated contact via the popular gay dating app Grindr. He believed he was communicating with a young boy and, despite being informed of the minor’s age, continued the conversation. During their exchanges, Stride sent explicit images of himself, which he later admitted included images of his genitalia. The prosecutor, James Kellam, detailed that Stride’s actions demonstrated a clear intent to meet the minor for sexual purposes.

The court heard that the conversation culminated in an agreement to meet at a designated location, with the intent of engaging in oral sex. However, Stride’s plans were thwarted when he arrived at the meeting point and was confronted by vigilantes from the group TRAP. These individuals had been monitoring the situation and intervened before any harm could occur. They informed Stride that police were en route, effectively preventing the crime from taking place.

A video capturing the confrontation was subsequently uploaded online and garnered over 800,000 views, highlighting the public’s interest and concern over the case. Stride, who has no fixed address, was arrested and charged with attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.

During the hearing at Southampton Crown Court in Hampshire, Judge Gary Burrell QC sentenced Stride to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. The judge emphasized that the support of Stride’s family, particularly his wife, played a significant role in the decision to avoid immediate incarceration. The judge remarked, “You have the support of your family. In particular, your wife who states, ‘I still love my husband and want to support him through the difficult time he is going through, including working on our marriage.’”

While acknowledging that there were no actual victims involved, the judge pointed out that Stride’s actions were reckless and foolish, especially given the explicit images he sent. He also noted the importance of the wife’s unwavering support during this challenging period.

As part of his sentence, Stride was placed on the sex offenders’ register and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order for a period of five years, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent future offenses.