SCOTT HORSBURGH FROM RADSTOCK JAILED FOR PREDATORY OFFENSES IN SOMERSET

In May 2019, a disturbing case unfolded in Somerset involving Scott Horsburgh, a 21-year-old resident of Radstock, who was convicted and sentenced for attempting to engage in sexual activities with a young girl. The court heard that Horsburgh was identified as a persistent, predatory, and exploitative paedophile, and his actions led to a significant criminal sentence.

Horsburgh's arrest stemmed from an undercover operation conducted by police officers who posed as the father of a nine-year-old girl on an online chatroom designed for children. The investigation revealed that Horsburgh, despite this being his first formal conviction, had a long history of concerning behavior. Between 2013 and 2015, he had received police cautions for various sexual offences, including inciting children under the age of 13 to engage in sexual acts. These cautions underscored a pattern of dangerous conduct and indicated a clear risk to children.

When Horsburgh appeared before Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday, May 15, he admitted to two specific charges: arranging or facilitating a child sex offence and breaching a sexual harm prevention order. These offences occurred between April 9 and April 17, 2019. The court was informed that on April 9, Horsburgh created a profile on the chatroom under the username 'Boy For All,' falsely claiming to be 15 years old. His profile included the statement 'Girls and mums any age,' which demonstrated his intent to target a wide age range of females.

Unbeknownst to Horsburgh, he was communicating with an undercover officer using a profile called 'Pre Teen Lover UK,' which displayed an avatar of a young girl in a school uniform. Prosecutor Chloe Griggs detailed the conversation, stating that Horsburgh initiated contact and asked, 'Hey, do you f*** your daughter?' The officer responded by claiming his daughter was nine years old, and Horsburgh expressed a desire to sexually abuse her. The court heard that Horsburgh explicitly stated his preferences, asking if the girl could wear short skirts or shorts and referring to wanting her to call him 'big daddy' or 'uncle.'

On April 15, the police arranged a meeting in the car park of a Co-op store in Radstock, with Horsburgh asking the officer to bring his 'daughter' along. The plan was then moved to the Centurion Hotel on Charlton Lane in Midsomer Norton, where Horsburgh was given the officer's mobile number. On April 17, the officer informed Horsburgh that he was in room six of the hotel with the imaginary girl. Horsburgh responded by saying, 'When I’m outside your door I will let you know and she can open it.' As he approached the hotel reception, Horsburgh was detained and arrested by police.

Although Horsburgh had no previous convictions, the court was told he had multiple cautions for sexual offences dating back to when he was just 15 years old. These cautions led to him being placed in local authority care and separated from his biological family. Further concerns were raised when a foster carer reported on June 1, 2016, that Horsburgh was still engaging in sexual discussions with children on a website called Chat Hour, targeting users aged 6 to 14. This prompted police intervention and the imposition of a sexual harm prevention order, which Horsburgh later breached.

During the proceedings, his defense counsel, Caighli Taylor, acknowledged Horsburgh's awareness of the gravity of his actions and his willingness to accept responsibility. She highlighted his complex background, including suffering abuse as a child, being placed in care at age 16, and being cut off from his family. Taylor emphasized that Horsburgh had been engaging with social services to address his offending behavior and expressed her belief that he genuinely regrets his actions and is motivated to change. She noted his participation in rehabilitation efforts and his willingness to discuss his offenses openly.

However, the judge, His Honour Judge Horton, did not hold back in condemning Horsburgh. He described him as a 'persistent, predatory and exploitative paedophile' who had used social media as a weapon against children. The judge recounted Horsburgh's history, including a warning for exposure in 2013, cautions for inciting children under 13 to engage in sexual activity in 2014, and breaches of a sexual harm prevention order in 2018. The court detailed how Horsburgh had used sophisticated online tactics to create false profiles and manipulate children, with conversations revealing explicit sexual descriptions and intentions.

Judge Horton pointed out that Horsburgh's sexual interests appeared to have originated at a young age, compounded by the abuse he himself suffered as a child. The court emphasized that his behavior involved significant planning, acting with others, and lying about his age to deceive his victims. The previous record, combined with his failure to comply with existing orders, was considered an aggravating factor.

In sentencing, Horsburgh was given a total term of four years and three months in prison. The judge ordered that he serve half of this sentence before being eligible for release, after which he would be on license for the remainder. Conditions of his release include attending specific courses and residing at approved addresses. Additionally, Horsburgh was placed on a lifelong sex offenders' register and barred from working with vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly. He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £170.

This case underscores the ongoing dangers posed by individuals like Horsburgh, whose predatory behavior and manipulative tactics continue to threaten the safety of children in Somerset and beyond.