STEVE SLATER CAUGHT IN CANVEY ISLAND AND GRANTHAM IN SHOCKING CHILD GROOMING PLOT

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Canvey Island and Grantham, Steven Slater, aged 59, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after being caught attempting to meet a girl he believed was just 14 years old. The incident unfolded when Slater traveled to Grantham railway station on July 24 of the previous year, where he was met by a paedophile hunting group that had set up a sting operation.

At the time, Slater was residing in Grantham, and he had been engaging in online conversations with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl for approximately two months. The decoy, who was actually an adult acting on behalf of the vigilant group, made it clear from their very first interaction that she was a 14-year-old girl. Despite this, Slater continued to communicate with her, and the court was told that he caused her to watch a sexual video on their first day of contact. Furthermore, he asked her to send a photograph of her breasts, indicating a clear intent to engage in inappropriate and illegal sexual activity.

Prosecutor Phil Howes revealed that Slater attempted to cover his tracks by deleting many of his messages, although he was unaware that the conversations had been recorded. Over the course of 14 days, there were 23 video recordings of their interactions, which provided substantial evidence of his intentions. The court heard that on July 8, the decoy informed Slater that she had purchased a £45 open ticket to meet him in Grantham, and he responded with enthusiasm, expressing his anticipation of their meeting and suggesting they go fishing together.

The situation escalated when the decoy informed Slater that she was on her way to meet him at the railway station. The group, having monitored the communications, contacted the police and carried out a citizen’s arrest in Queen Street, Grantham. During his initial police interview, Slater claimed he believed the girl was 17 years old, a statement that was contradicted by the evidence.

Following his arrest, Slater moved to Gains Close on Canvey Island in Essex, and it was also revealed that his marriage had ended. He admitted to five separate offences committed between May 20 and July 24, 2022. These included causing a 14-year-old girl to watch sexual acts, attempting to engage in sexual communication, attempting to incite non-penetrative sexual activity, and grooming a girl under 16 with the intent to meet her.

During sentencing, Recorder Graham Huston emphasized that no actual child was involved, but he condemned Slater’s actions, noting that the communications spanned hundreds of pages. The judge stated, “In this case, you attended Grantham railway station to meet a 14-year-old girl who you believed was underage, but in reality, it was an adult. It is clear you deliberately set out to groom this girl, viewing her as a sexual object from the beginning.”

As part of his sentence, Slater was also ordered to be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years and is required to register as a sex offender for the same period, underscoring the severity of his crimes and the community’s need for ongoing protection.