MAN EXPECTING CHILD SEX MEET-UP AT MCDONALD’S MET BY POLICE
Roy Hampson, a man with no prior criminal record, was arrested after attempting to meet what he believed was a minor at a McDonald’s in St Helens for sexual activity.Police had been monitoring online communications and intervened when Hampson arrived at the location.
Officers found him with condoms and a bottle of lubricant, indicating he was prepared for sexual contact.
During police interviews, he admitted to some details but denied that he had any sexual intentions.
Hampson, 45, from Cinnamon Brow, had a history of engaging in explicit conversations with a person he thought was a young boy.
Prosecutors revealed that he had been in contact with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old online, using platforms such as Grindr, Kik Messenger, and WhatsApp between February 7 and 11 of the previous year.
The defendant lied about his age, claiming to be 33, and continued communication after learning the minor’s true age.
The conversations involved grooming language and sexually explicit discussions, with Hampson expressing interest in sexual acts, including anal sex, in graphic terms.
He also described wanting to look the boy in the eyes during the act.
The planned meeting was scheduled for 9 a.m.
on May 11, but instead of the minor, Hampson was met by police officers who detained him at the scene.
Though he provided some responses during interviews, he insisted he had no sexual intent.
Legal representatives argued that Hampson’s case was unusual, emphasising that he has never been convicted before.
His family expressed concerns about a possible undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder, which they believe might have contributed to his behaviour.
A letter from his mother to the court claimed that with proper support, he might not have ended up in trouble.
The defence added that the minor was fictitious and warned that imprisonment could prevent him from receiving necessary help.
The court rejected these arguments, and Judge Eric Lamb sentenced Hampson to two years and eight months in prison.
He also ordered Hampson to register as a sex offender, adhere to ongoing notification requirements, and comply with a sexual harm prevention order.
Additionally, his mobile phone was confiscated as part of the order.
