KILMARNOCK POSTMAN SIMON SMITH CAUGHT TRYING TO MEET 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN GATESHEAD

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and the vigilance of community groups, Simon Smith, a 46-year-old postal worker from Kilmarnock, was caught attempting to meet a teenage girl for sexual activity in Gateshead. The incident unfolded in November 2016 when Smith traveled approximately 170 miles from his home in Kilmarnock to the Metro Shopping Centre in Gateshead, believing he was about to meet a 14-year-old girl he had been communicating with via Facebook Messenger.

Unbeknownst to Smith, the profile he was engaging with was a fake account created by the 'Guardians of the North,' a paedophile hunting group dedicated to exposing online predators. The group had set up the profile to lure individuals like Smith, who appeared to be seeking illicit encounters with minors. When Smith arrived at the shopping center, he was confronted by members of the vigilante group, who immediately made a citizen’s arrest and called the police.

Prosecutor Jonathan Devlin told Newcastle Crown Court that Smith had initiated contact with the fictitious profile before arranging to meet the girl on November 26, with the intent of taking her shopping for Christmas. The court heard that Smith’s online conversations began with him posting a false image on his profile, asking the girl’s age, to which she responded “14.” He then posted a photo of a muscular young man in a gym, claiming to be 45, and inquired if she was bothered by his age.

Mr. Devlin explained that Smith’s messages quickly turned sexual in nature. The conversation included explicit references, with Smith asking about her breast size, requesting her to send a picture in her pajamas, and making inappropriate comments about her appearance. He asked whether her nipples would be erect after chasing her dog down the street and commented on her figure, suggesting she should wear white clothes if she was a virgin. The dialogue also involved discussions about kissing, cuddling, and smudging lipstick, indicating Smith’s intent to engage in sexual activity.

When confronted at the shopping center, Smith claimed he was only there to do some Christmas shopping. Police seized his mobile phone, which, upon examination, revealed that he had also been in contact with another fake profile, purportedly belonging to a 13-year-old girl. Both profiles were set up by the Guardians of the North to trap predators.

Smith, who resides in Onthank, Kilmarnock, pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a girl under 16 for sexual purposes following grooming, as well as inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity. Judge Deborah Sherwin addressed Smith in court, stating, “You were attempting to make contact with who you thought were two teenage girls, one 13 and one 14. One you agreed to meet at the Metro Centre in Gateshead, and we are satisfied that was for the purpose of some kind of sexual activity. The other girl, you encouraged her to send you pictures and similar messages. What you did not know was that neither of these girls existed in reality.”

She emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable and warned Smith about the seriousness of his actions. The judge revealed that she was “only just persuaded” not to send him to prison, instead sentencing him to a three-year community order. Additionally, Smith was ordered to register as a sex offender and comply with a sexual prevention order for the next seven years.

In a related incident from December 2016, Smith was also caught in a similar online sting, traveling from Kilmarnock to Gateshead to meet a girl he believed to be 14. The group, Guardians of the North, had set up a fake profile named “Rebecca,” with whom Smith exchanged messages begging for “kisses and cuddles.” When he arrived at the Metro Centre, he was confronted and arrested by the vigilante group, with police subsequently taking him into custody.

Following his arrest, Smith admitted to the charges, claiming he had never engaged in such behavior before and expressed remorse. He stated that he was unaware the profile was fake and that he was planning to do Christmas shopping when he decided to meet “Rebecca.” Smith also claimed that he did not have any sexual intentions, merely exchanging messages that included words like “kiss” and “cuddle.”

Smith, who has no children and was employed by Royal Mail, resigned from his job following the incident. He told authorities that he had spoken to his family and was wary of potential retaliation. Northumbria Police confirmed that Smith faced charges of attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming. He pleaded guilty to three charges at South Tyneside Magistrates Court and was scheduled for sentencing in January.