STOKE-ON-TRENT PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO 8 YEARS AFTER CITIZEN'S ARREST
Thomas Phillips was caught on camera at Kidsgrove Station after arranging to meet a girl he believed to be 13 years old for sex.The incident occurred in November 2023, when Phillips was confronted by a group calling itself an 'online child protection team' and was placed under citizen's arrest before police arrived.
Phillips, aged 48, has a history of child sex offences, including a previous conviction for sexual assault of a child in 2009.
During the arrest, he was found to have a stash of children's underwear at his home.
The police discovered that Phillips had been communicating with a decoy social media profile of a girl aged 13, and profiles of two other teenage girls aged 13 and 14.
He also had 1,327 category C indecent images of children stored on a hidden laptop.
Court proceedings revealed that Phillips suggested having sex with the decoy and her eight-year-old sister, and tried to bribe the younger girl with sweets to meet and engage in sexual activities.
The court also heard Phillips' previous convictions and noted his dangerous offender status.
He was convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, and making indecent images of children.
Phillips received an extended prison sentence of eight years, with a two-thirds serve requirement before eligibility for parole.
