PHILLIP CAIRNS FROM NEW HAVEN SENTENCED AFTER PAEDOPHILE HUNTING TEAM CATCH HIM IN SUSSEX

In January 2019, a man named Phillip Cairns, aged 35 and residing in New Haven, Sussex, was brought to justice after being caught in a sting operation conducted by a dedicated paedophile hunting team. Cairns, who had a prior conviction for sexual offences against a child, appeared before the court to face sentencing following his admission to multiple serious charges.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Cairns had committed four offences, including two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order and two counts of attempting to meet an underage individual for sexual activity after grooming. The court was informed that Cairns had actively sought out contact with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl by using an online profile. He sent highly explicit and sexually charged messages, clearly intending to engage the supposed minor in sexual activity.

However, the individual Cairns believed to be a young girl was actually an adult member of the paedophile hunting team known as ‘All For The Kids’. This team operates by posing online as children to identify and catch predators attempting to exploit minors. The team’s location led them to pass the case to another specialized unit called ‘Scorpion Hunters UK’.

Members of ‘Scorpion Hunters UK’ visited Cairns at his residence in New Haven, where they questioned him about his online activities and his reasons for communicating with what he thought was a child. Following this confrontation, the team contacted the police, who promptly arrested Cairns. After reviewing the evidence collected by the hunters, authorities formally charged him with the offences.

Faced with the evidence, Cairns admitted his guilt at the earliest opportunity. He was remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing. The court subsequently sentenced Cairns to three years in prison. Additionally, he was issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and was instructed to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions related to his conduct.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and volunteer groups to combat online sexual exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from predators operating under the guise of anonymity on the internet.