NEWS CHILD SEX OFFENDER FOUND GUILTY OF PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE
A 45-year-old man named Simon Martin Tilley has been found guilty of sexual offenses involving a minor and of obstructing justice.The verdict was delivered today (June 4) at Stafford Crown Court where Tilley, from Kingsthorpe Hollow, was convicted on four counts following a trial.
The evidence showed that in June 2021, he was involved in online communications of a sexual nature with an individual he thought was a 13-year-old boy.
During these exchanges, Tilley sent explicit photographs of himself and made comments such as “you look cute” and “guess you’re at school.” However, he was unaware that the person he was talking to was actually an undercover police officer.
He was arrested at his residence in November 2021 and charged with attempting to make a minor aged 13-15 view sexual images and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor.
Following his arrest, Tilley launched a sustained effort to stalk and harass a current and a former police officer from Northamptonshire, including the detective assigned to investigate his offenses.
He also used his social media account on X (formerly Twitter) and a WordPress website to publish false and malicious material aimed at harming their reputations and to hinder the investigation by discrediting the authorities.
In 2024, he faced additional counts for stalking with the intent to cause serious distress and for perverting the course of justice.
The charges against him were later modified during the trial to include one count of perverting justice and two counts of stalking.
An earlier charge involving possession of extreme pornography depicting acts with an animal was dismissed.
The court heard how Tilley’s actions adversely affected police officers, with one describing his conduct as “horrendous” and another citing him as a primary reason for resigning from the police.
Today, the court found him guilty of two child sex offenses, perverting justice, and one stalking charge, while acquitting him of a second stalking accusation.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Cobley spoke about the difficulty of the case and its impact on law enforcement personnel and their families.
He stressed that police staff, despite their resilience, should not fear threats to their safety.
He also commended the investigative team for their professionalism under challenging circumstances, ensuring the case progressed.
He affirmed that Tilley’s attempt to undermine the prosecution had failed and that the courts have recognized him as a convicted child sex offender.
Tilley is scheduled to be sentenced on September 18 at Stafford Crown Court.
