MORRIS LIGHTFOOT HARROGATE COUNCILLOR SENTENCED FOR GROOMING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In December 2008, a serious criminal case unfolded involving Morris Lightfoot, a former deputy mayor and councillor from Harrogate, who was ultimately sentenced to eight months in prison for attempting to groom a young girl for sexual activity.

Lightfoot, residing on Dryden Close in the Bilton area of Harrogate, was caught in a covert operation conducted by an administrator of a social networking website. The sting was part of an effort to apprehend individuals attempting to exploit minors online. The investigation revealed that Lightfoot, aged 55 at the time, had engaged in inappropriate communications with a girl he believed was only 13 years old.

During the court proceedings, it was established that Lightfoot, who served as a Liberal Democrat councillor representing Bilton on Harrogate Borough Council and also on North Yorkshire County Council for the Bilton and Nidd Gorge area, had admitted to three charges. These charges involved asking the girl for sex and attempting to arrange a meeting for sexual purposes. As a result of his actions, he was placed on the sex offenders register and was also prohibited from working with children, a restriction imposed by the judge at York Crown Court.

The court heard that Lightfoot had logged onto the social networking site under the pseudonym 'Moozzaa.' He had explicitly asked the girl if she wanted to lose her virginity to him, despite her repeatedly stating that she was only 13 years old. He also suggested a meeting in Harrogate and sent her photographs of himself in a state of undress. However, none of these images were classified as indecent by the authorities.

The girl involved in the case was, in fact, an administrator of the website, who became suspicious of Lightfoot’s intentions. She promptly alerted the police, leading to his arrest and subsequent prosecution. The case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting minors from exploitation.