PAUL CALVERT CAUGHT IN SEXUAL OFFENCES AT RISHTON STATION IN EAST LANCASHIRE
In February 2019, a notorious online paedophile hunting group, Creep Catchers UK, successfully confronted Paul Calvert, a 42-year-old man, at Rishton railway station in East Lancashire.Calvert believed he was meeting a 14-year-old girl named Kim Howells, with whom he had been communicating online.
Prosecutor Paul Brookwell explained that Calvert was under the impression he was chatting with a minor and had made inquiries about her underwear.
However, the individual posing as a girl was actually Darren Minto, a man who had established the vigilante group Creep Catchers UK.
Calvert, residing on Heritage Street in Rishton, pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to incite a girl to engage in sexual activity and attempting to meet a child for sexual purposes, resulting from grooming activities.
He received a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Additionally, the court mandated that he complete 30 days of rehabilitation activities.
Judge Beverley Lunt sentenced Calvert and also issued a sexual harm prevention order that restricted his contact with minors and his online activity.
Calvert was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for a period of 10 years.
While noting that Calvert had no prior convictions and was assessed by the probation service as posing a low risk of reoffending, the judge highlighted the seriousness of his actions.
Mr.
Brookwell detailed that Darren Minto had created a profile for 'Kim Howells' on an adult chatroom, using a photo of his partner Kelly Davis and the alias 'Kimmy Baby Blue.' During the online exchange, Calvert was made aware that 'Kim' was supposed to be a 14-year-old girl.
The conversation later moved to another forum, where Calvert inquired about her underwear and made inappropriate comments about 'touching her body.' An arranged meeting was set for June 4 at Rishton railway station.
However, upon arrival, Calvert was confronted by Darren Minto, challenged, and the police were called.
Officers arrested Calvert nearby, noting he was visibly shaking at the time.
