SEVENOAKS MAN MICHAEL QUICK JAILED FOR GROOMING AND ATTEMPTING TO MEET 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL AT WOLVERHAMPTON STATION

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and the persistent threat to vulnerable minors, Michael Quick, a 55-year-old resident of Sevenoaks, Kent, has been sentenced to prison after attempting to meet a girl he believed was only 14 years old at Wolverhampton train station. The incident unfolded in March 2017, when Quick traveled from his home in Sevenoaks with the intent of engaging in sexual activities with the supposed teenager, armed with vodka and baby oil, which he intended to use during their meeting.

Quick’s actions came to light through the efforts of a paedophile hunter known as 'Phantom Justice,' who had been in contact with him since February via a fake online profile. The hunter, operating under the alias Danny, engaged Quick in conversations on the dating app Lovoo, where he initially made contact. The discussions quickly escalated, with Quick moving the conversation to WhatsApp, where he was informed that the girl was only 14. Despite this knowledge, Quick continued to discuss sexual activities and even asked her to lie to her teachers about having period pains to facilitate their meeting.

According to the evidence presented in court, Quick had previously been convicted in Scotland for unlawful attempted intercourse with a girl aged between 13 and 16, and had been handed a three-year probation sentence back in 1994. At the time of his arrest, he was suspended from his employment with a rail company in the southeast, and police described his living conditions as 'squalid.'

On the day of the planned meeting, Quick sent a photograph of himself on the train to Wolverhampton, attempting to identify himself to the decoy. When he arrived at Wolverhampton station on March 1, he was promptly arrested by officers from West Midlands Police, who had been alerted by the paedophile hunter. During the search of his belongings, officers discovered vodka and baby oil, items that had been discussed in the WhatsApp conversations and which Quick had brought with him for the meeting.

Quick pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming, and his case was heard at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Prosecutor Mark Phillips detailed that Quick had even sent an image of himself traveling to meet the girl, further demonstrating his intent. The court was also informed that Quick had previously served time in Scotland for similar offences, underscoring a troubling pattern of behavior.

Judge Amjad Nawaz sentenced Quick to 16 months in prison and imposed a five-year sexual harm prevention order. This order restricts him from accessing the internet without police supervision and from contacting anyone under the age of 16. As the judge delivered his sentence, Quick was visibly emotional, wiping away tears in the dock. Judge Nawaz emphasized the importance of protecting minors from exploitation and issued a stern warning to others contemplating similar actions, stating, “People under the age of 16 need to be protected, not just from others, but from themselves. They are vulnerable to people just like you. If nothing else, I hope this prison sentence sends out a warning to others that they will go to prison for offences like these. If it’s at your expense that the warnings are heeded, then so be it.”

In addition to the criminal proceedings, Quick’s employer, Southeastern, confirmed that he had been suspended from his job following his arrest, and appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken in accordance with company policies. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing risks posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant online safety measures to protect young people from exploitation.