THOMAS DURDEN FROM FAREHAM SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL PREDATION ON 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In March 2008, a disturbing case of online sexual exploitation unfolded involving Thomas Durden, a 21-year-old man from Fareham. Durden was convicted of repeatedly soliciting a 12-year-old girl for sexual activity through an internet chat platform, a crime that ultimately led to his imprisonment. The case drew significant attention due to the calculated nature of his actions and the betrayal of trust involved.

Durden had engaged in a series of illicit conversations with the young girl, during which he persistently asked her for sex. These exchanges were not only inappropriate but also predatory, as Durden arranged clandestine meetings with the girl, carefully planning encounters that her parents would remain unaware of. To conceal his intentions, he took the girl on outings to the cinema and to McDonald's, ostensibly innocent activities that masked his true motives.

The criminal investigation was triggered when the girl’s father discovered a string of explicit chat logs on their home computer. Shocked and disturbed by the content, he immediately contacted the police to report his findings. Law enforcement officials responded swiftly, leading to Durden’s arrest. During police interviews, Durden claimed that his messages were meant as a joke and insisted he did not intend any harm. However, this explanation was not convincing to the authorities or the jury.

At Portsmouth Crown Court, Durden faced a two-day trial. The court heard evidence including the chat logs, which vividly demonstrated his repeated requests for sexual activity with the young girl. The jury took only ten minutes to reach a guilty verdict on charges of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. The court also learned that Durden had a troubling history, including a previous incident where he caused a 15-year-old girl to become pregnant.

In a written statement, the girl’s father expressed his shock and disbelief upon discovering the chat logs, emphasizing the betrayal of trust and the danger posed by Durden’s actions. Despite Durden’s claims that he never intended to act on his messages, he admitted to sending the crude and inappropriate messages, which the jury found to be evidence of his predatory intent.

Judge Gareth Cowling sentenced Durden to 18 months in prison. During the sentencing, the judge highlighted the vulnerability of young girls and the importance of protecting them from exploitation. He remarked that Durden had exploited what appeared to be a harmless crush from the girl, taking advantage of her innocence and youth. The judge emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable and that adults must be held accountable for their actions when they prey on minors.

Throughout the proceedings, Durden showed no visible emotion as he was led away to begin his sentence, leaving a somber reminder of the serious consequences of online predatory behavior and the importance of safeguarding children from exploitation.