ALAN LEIGHTLEY CAUGHT IN NEWCASTLE PAEDOPHILE STING
In a disturbing case that unfolded in Newcastle, a 55-year-old businessman named Alan Leightley was caught in a sting operation after he traveled to meet what he believed was a 15-year-old girl.The incident took place at Newcastle Central Station in January, where Leightley had arranged to meet the girl, known as 'Amy,' after months of online grooming.
Leightley, who is married and resides on Elder Drive in Fenham, Newcastle, had been communicating with the decoy, operated by the group Dark Justice, through various online platforms including the Whisper mobile app and WhatsApp.
Over these months, he expressed a desire to be 'her first' and assured her he would be 'gentle and patient.' His messages revealed a disturbing pattern of grooming, during which he claimed to be performing a sex act on himself while viewing images of the girl and repeatedly told her she was 'gorgeous.' It was later revealed during court proceedings that the profile of 'Amy' was entirely fabricated and maintained by a decoy working on behalf of Dark Justice.
No actual girl was involved in the communications, highlighting the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilant monitoring by authorities.
When Leightley arrived at the station, he was confronted by members of Dark Justice, who recorded his attempt to meet the decoy.
During the confrontation, he pleaded with the group members to release him, claiming that his life would be 'destroyed' if he were caught.
Despite his pleas, the police were called to the scene, and he was subsequently arrested.
Leightley was charged with attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.
During his police interview, he claimed that if a real teenager had shown up, he would have 'talked to her and hugged her as she seemed lonely,' but insisted he would not have engaged in any sexual activity.
It was also noted that he has no prior convictions or cautions, although he did receive a fixed penalty notice in 2014 for masturbating in a park in North Tyneside.
In court, Judge Simon Batiste sentenced Leightley to 12 months in prison.
Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for ten years and to comply with a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the ongoing risk he poses.
