MATTHEW BUTLER CAUGHT AT DERBY RAILWAY STATION BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS IN DRAYCOTT

In a disturbing case that unfolded at Derby railway station, Matthew Butler, a 29-year-old resident of Lime Grove, Draycott, was lured into a trap set by a vigilant group of paedophile hunters known as Shadow Hunters UK. Butler had arranged to meet what he believed was a 13-year-old girl for sexual activity, but instead, he was confronted by members of the group who immediately involved law enforcement authorities.

Prior to this incident, Butler had engaged in a series of inappropriate online exchanges. He had been communicating via Facebook with a girl he believed to be 13 years old, identified as Lexi Palmer. During their conversations, Butler made explicit requests, asking if she would perform sexual acts on him and even sent her a nude photograph of himself. He also inquired about her family, asking whether she had brothers and sisters, and claimed to be bisexual. Additionally, he shared train schedules from her supposed hometown of Leeds to Derby, indicating his intent to meet her in person.

The planned meeting took place on February 11, when Butler arrived at Derby railway station, expecting to meet the girl. Instead, he was met by members of Shadow Hunters UK, who quickly intervened and called the police. The authorities arrived promptly, and Butler was taken into custody. This incident was part of a broader pattern of concerning online behavior, as it emerged that just a month prior, Butler had exchanged Facebook messages with a 14-year-old boy from Liverpool. In those conversations, which lasted only about 40 minutes late on December 2 and into the early hours of December 3, Butler asked highly sexualized questions, including whether it was acceptable for a 28-year-old to have sex with a 14-year-old boy. The boy's parents reported the conversations to the police, leading to an investigation.

Further scrutiny revealed that between January 28 and February 11, Butler had been in contact with the fake profile created by Shadow Hunters UK, posing as a 13-year-old girl named Lexi Palmer. The messages exchanged were described as disturbing and disgusting, with Butler asking if she had ever had sex, requesting photographs, and sending a nude image of himself. He repeatedly asked if she wanted to perform sex acts and discussed meeting in Derby, providing train times from Leeds and Derby to facilitate the encounter.

When questioned by police, Butler initially denied any sexual interest in children. However, he later pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity. At Derby Crown Court, Recorder Martin Butterworth sentenced him to 20 months in prison. The court also imposed a sexual harm prevention order to restrict his future conduct. The case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community groups in protecting vulnerable minors from exploitation.