A twisted predator has been caged after being exposed as a child sex fiend.
Michael John Knight, from Durham, was finally sentenced on 31 March 2025 after a shocking catalogue of offences — including online grooming, sexual communication with a 14-year-old, and attempting to get his hands on child abuse images.
Knight was arrested in June 2022, but it took until this year for justice to be served.
THE VERDICT At Durham Crown Court, Knight admitted trying to lure kids into sexual conversations — not once, but twice.
Judges slapped him with a Hospital Order (detained until further notice), placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for life, and banned him under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.
UNDERCOVER STING The pervert was caught out thanks to decoy profiles run by online child protection activists, who handed their findings to Durham Constabulary.
Without them, Knight’s sick fantasies could have gone unchecked.
NAME AND SHAME Knight’s mugshot now stands as a warning — and campaigners say his sentence proves predators can’t hide forever.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
Court, Knight admitted trying to lure kids into sexual conversations - not once, but twice. Judges slapped him with a Hospital Order (detained until further notice), placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for life, and banned him under...
Sex Offenders Register
10 years
Judges slapped him with a Hospital Order (detained until further notice), placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for life, and banned him under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years
Court order
life
Judges slapped him with a Hospital Order (detained until further notice), placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for life, and banned him under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years
Hospital or treatment order
10 years
Judges slapped him with a Hospital Order (detained until further notice), placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for life, and banned him under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years
