ADRIAN CARTWRIGHT AND SHOCKING SEXUAL PREDATION IN GATESHEAD AND BIRTLEY
A man with a troubling history of engaging in sexual offenses against minors has been sentenced to prison after attempting to meet two teenage girls for sexual activity within the same day in the Gateshead area.Adrian Cartwright, aged 52, of Ollerton Gardens, Felling, Gateshead, was caught in a sting operation carried out by paedophile hunters known as Guardians of the North.
The predator had initiated online contact with what he believed were two 15-year-old girls, establishing communication through fake profiles created by vigilantes.
His exchanges with these decoy profiles took place in October 2019.
Under the alias “Top dad,” Cartwright engaged in sexually explicit conversations, and his messages quickly became invasive and inappropriate.
To the first decoy, he sent a graphic image of his genitals after just five messages.
He also pressed for her to send images of herself “wearing less clothing,” suggested she perform a sex act on him, and inquired about her school uniform and underwear.
His conversations also included explicit references to her body parts, indicating his sexual interest.
The Newcastle Crown Court was informed that he planned to meet her at 4:30 p.m.
on October 11 in a car park located in Birtley.
He also explicitly requested that she not wear underwear for the meeting.
Similarly, Cartwright communicated with the second decoy, expressing interest in ongoing meetings.
He asked about her sexual experience, sent her images, and requested her to send photographs of herself.
He scheduled a meeting with her at 11 p.m.
on October 11, outside an Asda store, and suggested they engage in sexual activity at an industrial estate.
Prosecutor Paul Cleasby emphasized the seriousness of Cartwright’s intentions, stating, “The prosecution say it's obvious he intended to meet two children on the same evening for the purpose of sexual activity.
It's clear he intended to meet the children as he attended the first meeting when both decoys were present.” During the operation, Guardians of the North members attempted to stop his vehicle in the car park, but he fled the scene by mounting a grass verge and speeding away.
The vigilantes briefly followed him but decided to abandon the pursuit after witnessing him run a red light and drive on the wrong side of the road in a residential zone with a speed limit of 20mph.
Police responded swiftly to the incident, arresting Cartwright at his residence shortly afterward.
Officers noted he appeared breathless and claimed to have no understanding of why they were there.
His criminal record includes previous convictions for sexual activity with minors, with a 2007 conviction involving two 14-year-olds, for which he received a suspended sentence.
At court, Cartwright pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and two counts of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.
Judge Stephen Earl sentenced him to 28 months in prison.
In addition, he remains subject to a lifelong sex offender registration and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
During the proceedings, Cartwright, who is in a relationship, explained that his recent offending was driven by boredom at work.
Representing himself, he expressed remorse, stating, “I would like to express my remorse.
I have let myself and my family down.
I would like to thank the Guardians for catching me doing this because it could have been someone else less defensive than themselves.
I need help and don't believe a jail sentence would provide that help.” He further shared that his life had changed significantly in the past three years, including a change of job to a health and safety representative role, where he also learned first aid, and that he spends much time caring for his ailing parents.
Despite his remorse, the court emphasized the serious nature of his offenses and the potential harm caused by his actions.
