THOMAS GRAHAM AND DANIEL LUCKMAN: EXETER AND DAWLISH PAEDOPHILE SCANDAL REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Dawlish and Exeter, a convicted child sex offender has been brought back to court after engaging in a prolonged and calculated grooming operation targeting a 12-year-old boy. The offender, Thomas Graham, also known as Daniel Luckman, was found to have initiated an online relationship with the young boy via social media platforms Twitter and Discord, despite being on prison licence at the time.

Graham, who had previously served time for his sexual offenses, went to great lengths to conceal his identity and past. He sent the boy over £1,500 worth of online vouchers and purchased a secret mobile phone, which he instructed the child to keep hidden from his parents. Their conversations quickly turned inappropriate, with Graham sending graphic images of adult pornography and making sexualized comments. He also offered the boy financial incentives—£10 for a nude photo and £50 for posing in his school uniform—highlighting the manipulative and exploitative nature of his actions.

The situation escalated when Graham, who had changed his name to cover his criminal history, was attempting to arrange a face-to-face meeting with the boy in Exeter. It was only when the child's mother discovered the secret phone and contacted the police that the plot was thwarted. During the investigation, it was revealed that Graham had even offered to take the boy to a rugby match in Exeter, further demonstrating his intent to groom the child for sexual exploitation.

Graham’s history of sexual offending is extensive and deeply troubling. He has been classified as a dangerous offender on two separate occasions. His first conviction dates back to 2003, when he was convicted of possessing and distributing indecent images of children. His second, and more severe, conviction came in 2011, when he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the crime of rape. Despite these serious convictions, Graham continued to pose a threat, as evidenced by his actions in 2020.

In 2009, the UK database identified him working under an assumed name at a One Stop shop located on Glasshouse Lane in Countess Wear, Exeter. At that time, Tesco, the parent company of the convenience store chain, was unaware of his criminal past. It later emerged that Graham had served a 15-month sentence after admitting to running a website dedicated to distributing and selling child sexual abuse images. Following his release, he was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which explicitly banned him from any contact with minors. However, Graham flagrantly violated this order by grooming the young boy online.

In court, Judge Timothy Rose described Graham as a significant risk to the public, especially to young boys. He emphasized the severity of Graham’s actions, noting the extensive communication—over 467 messages—and the numerous gifts he lavished on the child. The judge pointed out that Graham discussed meeting the boy and made sexualized remarks, actions that could have led to a physical encounter had they not been interrupted. The judge sentenced Graham to two years and eight months in prison for breaching the SOPO, highlighting the seriousness of his misconduct.

Prosecutor Miss Felicity Payne detailed the extent of Graham’s online grooming, revealing that he initiated contact with the boy in July 2019. Over the course of the relationship, Graham sent hundreds of messages via text and WhatsApp, including clips of adult pornography and sexual references. He also bought the boy gifts, including a Netflix subscription and a mobile phone, instructing him to keep their communication secret from his parents. The predator’s manipulative tactics included offering cash for explicit photos and even a credit card loaded with funds, further demonstrating his intent to exploit the child.

In a related development, Graham faced additional legal consequences in September 2020 when he was warned that he could face jail time for breaching his SOPO. This breach involved initiating a virtual relationship with the 12-year-old boy, which remained entirely online and did not involve any physical contact. Graham, then 40 and residing in Newlands, Dawlish, had previously been convicted in 2003 for making indecent photographs and distributing them, leading to his placement on the Sex Offenders’ Register. His criminal history also includes running a website dedicated to child pornography, which resulted in a 15-month jail sentence.

Further back in June 2009, Luckman was identified working under an assumed name at a Tesco-owned One Stop store in Countess Wear, Exeter, near local primary schools. His criminal past was uncovered by a website group dedicated to exposing sex offenders, despite efforts by Devon & Cornwall Constabulary to shut down such online platforms. Tesco confirmed that Luckman had resigned from his position once his identity was revealed. The company stated that they took the matter seriously and conducted an investigation, but the revelation underscored the ongoing risks posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses. Detective Sergeant Heather Bell of the Exeter child protection team urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any concerns about child safety, emphasizing that police continue to monitor and manage risks associated with known offenders.

Overall, the case highlights the persistent danger posed by individuals like Thomas Graham and Daniel Luckman, whose histories of sexual offending and ongoing attempts to groom minors continue to threaten community safety in Exeter and Dawlish. Authorities remain committed to pursuing justice and protecting vulnerable children from exploitation and harm.