RICHARD HEWITT FROM ELLESMERE PORT CAUGHT IN SHOCKING ONLINE CHILD GROOMING PLOT IN CHESTER AND NEWCASTLE

In a disturbing series of events that have shocked the local community of Ellesmere Port and the wider North West region, Richard Hewitt, a 40-year-old man with a long history of sexual offences, has been convicted of attempting to engage in sexual activities with minors through online platforms and attempting to meet a child for sexual purposes. The case, which has unfolded over several years, highlights the dangers posed by online predators and the efforts of law enforcement and vigilant groups to combat such crimes.

Hewitt’s criminal record is extensive, including previous convictions for possessing indecent images of children, sexual assault, and breaching sexual offences prevention orders. His latest offences came to light after a series of undercover operations and online investigations, revealing his persistent attempts to contact and exploit children as young as nine years old.

According to court records, Hewitt was actively communicating with minors via Skype and chat rooms, often asking them to send explicit images and engaging in conversations that clearly indicated his intent to pursue sexual contact. On January 28, 2016, he exchanged messages with a nine-year-old girl, despite her informing him of her age. Court evidence showed Hewitt’s continued efforts to solicit inappropriate images, asking the girl about her underwear and requesting photographs.

Further investigations uncovered that Hewitt also engaged with a 12-year-old girl through the Chat Avenue website and Skype between August 4 and 8, 2016. Prosecutors revealed that the individual he was communicating with was an undercover police officer posing as the young girl. Hewitt was aware of her supposed age but expressed a desire to meet her and claimed he wanted to be her first.

In addition, Hewitt was messaging a 14-year-old girl from the Liverpool area during the same period, expressing a wish for her to visit his address and assuring her that no one would know. His online activities culminated in a trip to Newcastle on August 9, 2016, where he believed he was meeting a 13-year-old girl. In reality, this was a fake profile created by the vigilante group Dark Justice, which had been monitoring his online activity.

Hewitt’s arrest followed his arrival in Newcastle, where Northumbria Police detained him. During the subsequent search of his home, officers discovered an explicit image of a nine-year-old girl and evidence linking him to further offences. Hewitt’s attempts to erase his digital footprint were evident, as he regularly used software to wipe his hard drive, attempting to destroy incriminating evidence.

He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of attempting to engage a child in sexual activity—two involving girls under 13 and one involving a girl aged between 13 and 15—as well as possession of indecent images of a child and breaching a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO).

Hewitt’s criminal history predates these offences, with a conviction in 2007 for possessing indecent images, and a previous two-year prison sentence in 2010 for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in Runcorn. During that incident, he followed the girl, grabbed her, and attempted to kiss her, later exposing himself and touching her inappropriately. He was also known to have warned police he would come looking for her if she reported the assault.

His current SOPO, which was first imposed in 2007, was extended indefinitely, prohibiting him from contacting any child under 16 and banning him from owning or accessing devices capable of internet use, except in public libraries. Despite these restrictions, Hewitt continued to pursue his offending behaviour, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of children.

Judge David Hale, presiding over the case at Chester Crown Court, condemned Hewitt’s repeated offending, stating, “You have a very bad record for offences of this type. You asked these children to do things to themselves for you to look at which you knew to be illegal.” The judge sentenced Hewitt to an additional three years and four months on top of his existing sentence, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions and the ongoing risk he posed to the community.

During the sentencing hearing, Hewitt appeared via video link from prison, mumbling apologies and claiming he needed help. Outside the courtroom, Dark Justice campaigners recounted their confrontation with Hewitt, describing how he fought violently when they stopped him in Newcastle, attempting to destroy evidence by bending his phone and resisting their efforts to detain him. One campaigner sustained injuries during the struggle, including a bite to the arm and a suspected dislocated thumb, illustrating the volatile nature of these encounters.

In summary, Richard Hewitt’s case underscores the persistent threat of online sexual exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community groups in protecting vulnerable children. His history of offending, combined with recent convictions, highlights the ongoing challenges faced in preventing such predatory behaviour and ensuring justice for victims.