LUKE BEARD, THE SOUTHEND-ON-SEA PERVERT, ORDERED TO SIGN SEX OFFENDERS REGISTER AFTER LURING DEVON SCHOOLGIRLS

In a recent development in a disturbing case involving online predatory behavior, Luke Beard, a 29-year-old man originally from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, has been legally mandated to register as a sex offender following his admission to attempting to exploit young girls on social media platforms.

Back in July 2014, Beard was involved in a troubling incident where he tried to persuade three 13-year-old girls from Devon to send him explicit photographs. The case initially appeared before Exeter Crown Court, where Beard was found guilty of inciting minors to produce indecent images. However, at that initial hearing, he was not ordered to sign the sex offenders register due to a procedural legal error concerning whether such a requirement could be imposed without a custodial sentence.

Subsequently, the case was revisited before Judge Phillip Wassall. Prosecutor Mr. Joss Ticehurst clarified that, according to legal standards, Beard should have been automatically placed on the register. Recognizing this oversight, Judge Wassall ordered Beard to comply with the registration requirement immediately.

In addition to the registration order, Beard was sentenced to participate in a sex offenders' treatment program. He was also given a three-year community order, which includes the obligation to undergo therapy aimed at addressing his offending behavior.

The court proceedings revealed that Beard had created fake Facebook profiles, posing as a sixth former in order to contact young girls. Through these accounts, he engaged with 13-year-olds, requesting them to send him 'cheeky' pictures. The case came to light when the mother of one of the girls grew suspicious of her daughter's online conversations and reported her concerns to the police. Fortunately, none of the girls actually sent any images to Beard.

At the time of the offenses, Beard was residing in Ilfracombe, where he worked as a barman and shop assistant. He has since moved back to his family home in Southend-on-Sea, where he currently resides.