TIMOTHY HAVARD FROM LATCHFORD CAUGHT IN SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENCE PLOT IN WARRINGTON

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Latchford and the wider Warrington area, Timothy Havard, aged 48, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation involving online grooming and blackmail.

Havard, who resides on Ashfield Gardens in Latchford, initially believed he was communicating with a 15-year-old girl named Gemma via email. However, the reality was far more sinister. The person on the other end of the correspondence was actually a 43-year-old man from Cambridge, who had set a trap to extort Havard for a substantial sum of £20,000.

The court proceedings revealed that Havard’s interactions with the supposed teenage girl began in an online chatroom before escalating to email exchanges. As the conversations grew more explicit, the tone became sexual, with the individual claiming to be Gemma egging Havard on. Prosecutor David Jones described the situation as “a serious attempt at grooming a young girl,” emphasizing the gravity of the actions.

Havard admitted that he had fantasized about young girls, stating, “I try not to think about it too much because it is wrong, I guess.” During the course of the online exchanges, Havard used his webcam to film himself performing an indecent act, believing that the girl was watching. The communications also included plans to meet in Manchester and discussions about taking ‘her’ away to a hotel, further illustrating the disturbing nature of his intentions.

Things took a darker turn when the man claiming to be Gemma’s father sent an email demanding £20,000, threatening to report Havard to the police if the money was not paid. Instead of succumbing to the blackmail, Havard chose to hand himself in to authorities in November of the previous year, confessing to his involvement.

Interestingly, the man from Cambridge was never charged, as Havard chose not to press charges against him. Nonetheless, Havard faced multiple charges himself, including performing a sex act in front of a child and attempting to arrange a child sex offence. He also pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images and videos of children.

Representing Havard, solicitor Simon Berkson expressed remorse, stating, “With great shame and great embarrassment it has caused divorce and caused him to see his own children under supervision. He has lost his job and has completely ruined his life.”

In sentencing, Judge Thomas Teague sentenced Havard to 16 months in prison. The judge remarked, “Your aim was to engage in sexual intercourse with a young girl of 15. They were attempts that could never have been carried through, for what it is worth.”

Havard was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register, was prohibited from working with children, and was issued a sexual offences prevention order, underscoring the serious consequences of his actions and the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable individuals from similar threats.