SCOTT TOOTILL FROM LIMAVADY AND MAGHABERRY SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES AND GROOMING

In a series of disturbing criminal cases, Scott Tootill, a man with a troubling history of sexual offences, has been convicted and sentenced for multiple crimes involving exploitation, grooming, and breaches of court orders. The incidents span several years and involve various locations, including Limavady and Maghaberry, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that has shocked the local communities.

In May 2018, Tootill, aged 29 and residing at Meadowvale Park in Limavady, was brought before Antrim Crown Court to face serious charges related to controlling prostitution, fraud, and breaches of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). The court heard that Tootill had posed as a prostitute himself, luring unsuspecting men into paying for sexual services that were never actually provided. His actions extended beyond this, as he also incited a young woman to become a prostitute and facilitated other women, who were already working as escorts, by arranging clients and booking hotel rooms in Limavady.

Tootill pleaded guilty to two counts of controlling prostitution for financial gain and one count of inciting someone to become a prostitute. Additionally, he admitted to five counts of fraud by false representation, where he impersonated an escort to deceive men on various dates in February of the previous year. The court also found him guilty of breaching his court-imposed SOPO, which prohibited him from possessing mobile phones, by having multiple phones at his home. Further breaches involved failing to disclose the use of five different aliases to police between December 28, 2016, and March 4 of the following year.

The police had conducted a search of Tootill’s residence on March 4 after an off-duty officer reported witnessing him breaching his court orders by possessing a mobile phone. Prosecutor Tessa Kitson detailed how evidence from the phones revealed Tootill’s use of fake names and his method of advertising on adult websites under female pseudonyms to attract clients. These clients were expected to transfer money into his bank account, but the sexual services were never delivered, indicating a clear attempt at financial exploitation.

Further evidence showed that Tootill had contacted women already involved in prostitution, inviting them to work at a hotel in Limavady, where he would book rooms and arrange for clients to visit. He admitted to police that while the women charged £100 for their services, he would take a cut of £20. His previous criminal record was also highlighted, including a 2012 conviction for posing as a woman to set up a fake modeling agency, which involved photographing young girls. He had pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to child sexual exploitation, including inciting sexual activity with minors and facilitating child prostitution.

During the court proceedings, defense lawyer Mark Barlow described Tootill as “something of a Walter Mitty character,” emphasizing his lack of normal adult relationships outside his family. The lawyer argued that, aside from Tootill’s confessions, there was no direct evidence from the women he allegedly encouraged into prostitution, suggesting that had he remained silent, his only potential convictions might have been for breaching the SOPO.

Judge Desmond Marrinan sentenced Tootill to 18 months in prison, with an additional two years on license. The judge commented on the unhealthy nature of his sexual interests, given his criminal history, and underscored the seriousness of his actions.

Earlier, in November 2013, Tootill was arrested in Fermanagh for breaching his SOPO by possessing a mobile phone with internet access at his home in Ederney. He had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to facilitate child prostitution and pornography involving two young girls, aged 15, and inciting three other girls under 18 to engage in sexual activities. He was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years on license, and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

During this period, police found evidence of grooming at the highest level, with Tootill setting up a fake modeling agency on Facebook, which listed up to 100 young girls as friends. He posed as a photographer, claiming to have worked for the agency for three years, and sent messages to the victims, offering glamour photography that often involved nudity. One girl was told she would be paid £400 for posing, and was later sent explicit messages suggesting the photos would be of her in compromising positions. Police seized electronic devices during a raid, and Tootill admitted his intention to photograph the girls in pornographic shots, although no photographs of the victims were ultimately taken.

In June 2012, Tootill’s actions came under scrutiny again when he was found to have set up a fake modeling agency and posed as a photographer to lure teenage girls into nude or semi-nude photoshoots. The court heard that he contacted three 15-year-old girls between March 21 and March 25, 2012, through social media, offering glamour modeling opportunities that involved explicit content. Despite not physically meeting all the girls, his communications and online activities demonstrated a calculated effort to groom and exploit minors.

Throughout these cases, Tootill’s actions have been characterized by a pattern of deception, grooming, and exploitation, with authorities emphasizing the calculated nature of his offenses. His repeated breaches of court orders and the severity of his criminal record have led to lengthy sentences, reflecting the serious concern authorities have regarding his behavior and the potential risk to the community. The courts have made clear that such conduct is unacceptable and have taken firm action to prevent further harm, ensuring that Tootill remains under supervision and is held accountable for his actions.