RICKY BRADLEY'S CRIMES IN FLINT: ONLINE GROOMING AND SEX OFFENCES SHOCK COMMUNITY

In May 2018, Ricky Bradley, a 27-year-old man from Flint, found himself at the center of a serious criminal case involving online sexual offences and grooming of minors. The case was brought to light after Bradley believed he was engaging in conversations with girls aged between 12 and 14, but in reality, he was communicating with decoy volunteers from the National Child Protection Group, who operated as online vigilantes to catch predators.

These decoys, posing as underage girls, confronted Bradley at his workplace in Flint after discovering his online activities. During these conversations, Bradley expressed affection, claiming he loved the girls, and even stated his desire for a romantic relationship with some of them. He used terms like 'beautiful,' and called them 'babe' or 'baby,' revealing highly sexualized language and intentions. One of the decoys reported that Bradley told her she would be a good kisser, indicating his inappropriate and sexualized interest in minors.

Following the confrontation, authorities were alerted, and police seized evidence from Bradley’s devices. He later admitted to police that he could not help himself, claiming a lack of control over his actions. The case had previously been adjourned to explore suitable accommodation options for Bradley, as his mother’s residence on Prince of Wales Avenue in Flint was deemed unsuitable due to its proximity to a school. Probation officers had attempted to find alternative housing, but Bradley was advised that if he received a suspended sentence, he should present himself as homeless.

Judge Huw Rees expressed regret that a more constructive approach, such as a suspended sentence combined with social skills training, might have been possible if appropriate accommodation had been available. However, given the circumstances, he sentenced Bradley to 12 months in prison—six months for each of the five offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and an additional six months for breaching a previous suspended sentence related to similar offences. Bradley was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order.

Psychological assessments revealed that Bradley suffered from social anxiety disorder and a probable schizotypal personality disorder. Despite these diagnoses, the judge emphasized that Bradley was aware of the wrongfulness of his actions, having held employment in the past and understanding the implications of his behaviour. The court assessed his potential harm to young girls aged 12 to 14 as medium level, noting that the offences were attempts rather than actual contact. The judge clarified that had Bradley been successful in his online pursuits, the sentence could have been more severe.

Bradley’s previous convictions and his current status on a suspended sentence led to his remand in custody. It was anticipated that he would be released in about a month, after which he would be supervised on license by the probation service. The judge issued a stern warning that any re-offending would result in much harsher penalties.

Prosecutor Jade Tufael detailed that the offences spanned from January to October of the previous year. Bradley believed he was communicating with girls aged 12 and 14, but these were in fact decoys operated by the National Child Protectors, who created fake profiles to catch online predators. Bradley’s conversations were highly sexualized, and he expressed a desire to meet the girls and pursue a relationship. When confronted, he claimed he could not stop himself and was unaware of why he behaved as he did.

Bradley’s arrest followed a police investigation that uncovered his full admissions. He expressed remorse but also claimed he needed help. His mother’s disapproval was evident, as she told him not to return home if he ever engaged in such behaviour again. The case highlighted ongoing concerns about online grooming and the importance of vigilant monitoring by child protection agencies.

In a separate incident from August 2017, Bradley had previously been convicted of grooming a 14-year-old girl on Facebook. He received a suspended prison sentence but was warned that his behaviour was taken very seriously. The judge, Judge David Hale, expressed concern that Bradley did not seem to grasp the severity of his actions, which involved attempting to persuade a vulnerable girl to meet him for cuddles, and even sending her a picture of a kiss. Although he claimed his intentions were innocent, the court emphasized the potential harm and the inappropriateness of his conduct.

Throughout these proceedings, Bradley’s actions have caused significant alarm within the Flint community, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by online predators and the critical need for robust protective measures and vigilant law enforcement.