TREVER ARNOLD FROM QUEENSBURY JAILED AFTER ATTEMPTED MEET WITH 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL AT HALIFAX'S SHIBDEN PARK

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Queensbury and the wider Halifax area, Trevor Arnold, a 58-year-old former sales representative, has been sentenced to a year in prison following his attempt to meet a 14-year-old girl for sexual activity. The incident unfolded in June 2013 at Shibden Park, a well-known public space in Halifax, where Arnold arrived in his BMW expecting to meet 'little Laura,' a girl he believed he had been communicating with through an online chat room.

According to court proceedings, Arnold had engaged in conversations with the girl, who was only 14 years old, despite knowing her true age. During these exchanges, Arnold, who was married and a father of one, expressed awareness of the serious legal consequences he would face if caught but admitted to being willing to take the risk. The court heard that he had no prior criminal convictions, which made the case particularly troubling.

His plans were thwarted when he arrived at Shibden Park and was confronted by an internet paedophile investigator equipped with a camcorder. The investigator’s presence was part of an operation to catch individuals attempting to engage in illegal activities with minors. Following the confrontation, police in Halifax were alerted and responded swiftly. They subsequently executed a search warrant at Arnold’s residence on Foxcroft Close, where they seized computer equipment. The investigation uncovered 18 indecent images of children stored on his devices, further compounding his charges.

Arnold was taken into custody and later pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and possessing indecent images of children. His guilty plea was entered earlier this month, and he now faces the consequences of his actions. Prosecutor Nikki Peers highlighted that this case was not isolated; a previous case involving the same paedophile investigator had resulted in a man receiving a three-year community sentence. She also revealed that ongoing prosecutions are underway against several other males in Sheffield, Leeds, and Bradford, all linked to information supplied by the same investigator.

During the sentencing hearing, Arnold’s defense lawyer, Tom Rushbrooke, acknowledged his client’s grave mistake, describing it as an act of extreme foolishness that Arnold deeply regrets. He emphasized that Arnold was the primary caregiver for his ailing wife and proposed that a three-year community order, involving supervised work with the probation service, would serve as a suitable alternative to immediate imprisonment.

However, the presiding judge, Bradford’s Recorder, Judge Roger Thomas QC, delivered a stern message. He stated that beneath Arnold’s seemingly respectable, middle-class life lay a disturbing reality, and it was necessary to send a clear deterrent message. Judge Thomas emphasized that when such cases come to light, prison sentences are inevitable, underscoring the seriousness of the offense.

As part of his sentence, Arnold will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. Additionally, he will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order for the same period, restricting his activities and monitoring his behavior to prevent further harm. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from predatory individuals in communities like Queensbury and Halifax.