MATTHEW MILLEN SENTENCED IN SOUTHAMPTON FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES

MATTHEW MILLEN SENTENCED IN SOUTHAMPTON FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES

Matthew Millen, 44, traveled by train to Southampton with the intention of engaging in sexual activity with a young girl named Grace.

He reportedly planned to record the encounter on video.

However, Grace was an undercover police officer, leading to Millen's arrest at a McDonald's in Westquay Shopping Centre.

Residing on Hall Park Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, Millen was convicted of attempting to pay for the sexual services of a child after a trial at Southampton Crown Court.

He was initially sentenced in December to three years in prison.

Earlier this year, Millen's case was referred to the Attorney General under the Unduly Lenient Scheme.

Following a review, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to seven years imprisonment.

The decision occurred during a joint hearing that also involved three other individuals convicted of paedophilia.

During the hearing, the new Attorney General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, commented: "I was shocked and appalled by the wicked intentions of these men and it was only thanks to the vigilance of the police and others that their criminality did not extend further.

I welcome the decisions of the Court of Appeal in what is a landmark case for the court." A jury unanimously found Millen guilty based on compelling evidence presented during the trial.

Millen claimed he was a paedophile hunter attempting to catch Grace's father, but this assertion was not accepted by the court.

He will be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and is required to register as a sex offender for life.