MICHAEL HAMPSON FROM MEIR CAUGHT IN SHOCKING PAEDOPHILE PLOT IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Meir, Michael Hampson, aged 27, was caught in a sting operation orchestrated by a vigilant paedophile hunter. The incident unfolded when the founder of a self-styled watchdog group, Ryan Brown, set up a fake online profile pretending to be an 11-year-old girl named ‘Lucy’.

Hampson, who resides on Forest Road in Meir, initiated contact with the decoy profile on August 27. Despite being informed that ‘Lucy’ was only 11 years old, Hampson’s responses quickly turned inappropriate. He asked for a photograph and, upon receiving one from Mr. Brown’s team, he sent a revealing image of his private parts. He also expressed his affection, repeatedly telling ‘Lucy’ that he loved her and wanted to be with her. The conversation quickly escalated into sexually explicit exchanges, with Hampson asking if she would perform a sex act on him.

Following these exchanges, members of the vigilante group, ‘Keeping Kids Safe’, visited Hampson’s home in Meir on August 30. The confrontation was filmed and streamed live on social media, drawing significant attention online. The group promptly contacted the police, leading to Hampson’s arrest. The authorities charged him with two counts of attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Hampson pleaded guilty to the charges. Prosecutor Nick Tatlow detailed the events, emphasizing that the defendant’s actions were deliberate and predatory. Judge Paul Glenn, presiding over the case, acknowledged that Hampson had already served the equivalent of a seven-month sentence through pre-trial detention. As a result, instead of a custodial sentence, the judge imposed a three-year community order, which includes 120 hours of unpaid work.

Furthermore, Hampson was subjected to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for the same duration. The court also barred him from engaging in activities involving children and vulnerable adults. Judge Glenn remarked on the seriousness of the case, stating, “Within a short period, you turned the conversation to sexual matters, asking if she wanted to see your private parts before sending a picture of them. You told her you loved her, she was special, beautiful, and sent her your number so she could text you. It was part of the grooming process.”

He dismissed Hampson’s claim that the images were sent accidentally, emphasizing that the evidence pointed to deliberate grooming behavior. The case highlights the ongoing dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant community efforts to protect children from exploitation.