MICHAEL BUTLER, THE REDCAR AND BURNLEY PERVERT, CAUGHT IN SHOCKING ONLINE PREDATION AT NEWCASTLE AND BURNLEY

In a disturbing series of events that highlight the dangers of online predators, Michael Butler, a 33-year-old man from Redcar, was ultimately brought to justice after a series of criminal acts involving grooming and indecent exposure. The case unfolded when Butler was lured into a sting operation at Newcastle Central Station, orchestrated by the vigilant paedophile hunting group Dark Justice, who had been tracking his online activities.

Butler, who was on bail at the time, had been communicating with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl named Amy. During their conversations, he had asked her to send explicit images, despite her revealing that she had learning difficulties. His intentions were clear, as he was planning to meet her in person for sexual activity. Prosecutor Harry Hadfield explained to Teesside Crown Court that Butler was actively grooming the girl and had traveled to meet her, showing a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of minors.

Members of Dark Justice, who had been monitoring his online exchanges, waited for him at Newcastle Central Station. When Butler arrived, he was promptly detained and handed over to the police. The authorities uncovered that Butler had previously served a 15-month prison sentence for serious sexual offences, including engaging in sexual activity with a girl under 13 and attempting to arrange sexual contact with an 11-year-old, who was actually an undercover police officer. This sentence was handed down at Burnley Crown Court in July 2014.

Following his release, Butler was subject to a 10-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which prohibited him from having contact with children under 16 and from using the internet without supervision. Despite these restrictions, he breached the order by befriending a stallholder at Redcar Market and associating with his three young children. Further investigations revealed that Butler had used his mobile phone to view child pornography, deleting his browsing history to conceal his activities. However, suspicion from the public protection police officer led to an internet expert retrieving incriminating evidence from his device.

It was also discovered that Butler had been operating under the alias Michael Smith, without informing the authorities of his name change, further complicating his legal situation. The evidence indicated that he had invited the girl, Amy, to meet him at the railway station and was actively texting her during his journey. Judge Peter Armstrong addressed Butler directly, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. He stated, “I take the view that in the course of the text messages it was indicated to you that this girl named Amy was a vulnerable child, but nevertheless you persisted in meeting her. Clearly, penetrative sexual activity was intended.”

The judge highlighted that Butler was assessed as posing a high risk of reoffending sexually against children. Despite the existence of the SOPO, his actions demonstrated that the order had not effectively prevented his criminal behavior. Fortunately, no child was physically harmed in this incident, but the court recognized the potential danger he posed.

In light of his breaches and criminal conduct, Butler pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two violations of the SOPO, failure to comply with notification requirements related to his name change, attempted sexual grooming, and unauthorized internet use. He was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, with the court emphasizing the importance of treatment and rehabilitation during his incarceration.

Earlier, in August 2014, Butler’s predatory behavior was exposed when he was caught attempting to engage with what he believed to be an 11-year-old girl online. Undercover police posing as minors uncovered his disturbing actions, including exposing himself on webcam and expressing a desire to meet the girl in Blackpool for sexual purposes. Despite being in a relationship with a 23-year-old woman who was aware of his online activities, Butler continued his dangerous pursuits. He admitted to police that he knew his behavior was illegal and described his actions as ‘sickening.’

Burnley Crown Court sentenced him to 16 months in prison for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a minor, attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual acts, and attempting to arrange a meeting for sexual purposes. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for ten years and was subject to a 10-year SOPO, which monitored his internet use and contact with minors. His partner’s awareness of his online chats was noted during the investigation, and the court recognized his ‘simple, somewhat pathetic and introverted’ personality, suggesting his online behavior was a manifestation of a distorted fantasy world.

These cases underscore the ongoing threat posed by individuals like Michael Butler, whose actions continue to endanger children and exploit the vulnerabilities of minors through digital means. The justice system’s response aims to both punish and rehabilitate offenders, while authorities remain vigilant in monitoring and preventing such predatory conduct.