PORTLAND MAN ALISTAIR CHAPMAN CAUGHT IN SHADOW HUNTERS UK PLOT IN FOLKESTONE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Alistair Chapman, a 29-year-old resident of Easton Street, Portland, Dorset, has been sentenced to prison after plotting a heinous crime involving a supposed underage girl in Folkestone. The incident unfolded in April of the previous year, when Chapman engaged in a series of online conversations with what he believed was a 14-year-old girl named Lucy. Unbeknownst to him, the girl was actually a decoy operated by Shadow Hunters UK, a paedophile hunting organization dedicated to catching predators.

Chapman’s online chats with the decoy spanned over a month, during which he detailed a sickening plan to kidnap the girl. He described how he would restrain her using cable ties and duct tape, then place her in the back of his BMW before returning to his residence. The court heard that he also sent videos of himself in bondage, wearing a dress, and spoke openly about his intentions to impregnate her by the age of 15. These conversations revealed a disturbing level of planning and depravity, with Chapman expressing a desire to carry out acts that are both illegal and morally reprehensible.

On April 21, 2019, Chapman arranged to meet Lucy at Sandling station, instructing her to bring her school uniform. However, as he drove into the station’s car park, he was met by members of Shadow Hunters UK, who had been monitoring his online activity. The organization had set up the decoy to 'smoke out' individuals like Chapman, who they suspected of planning to commit child sexual offenses. As soon as he saw the vigilantes, Chapman immediately left the scene, but the group promptly alerted the police and handed over their evidence.

Following his arrest, authorities conducted a search of Chapman’s flat, uncovering a collection of bondage equipment, including cable ties, rolls of duct tape, and coils of black cord. These items further confirmed the nature of his intentions. During the court proceedings at Maidstone Crown Court, Judge Stephen Thomas described Chapman’s behavior as 'extreme and inexcusable.' The judge highlighted that Chapman had explicitly discussed engaging in penetrative sex and other sexual practices with the girl, as well as his plans to detain her in a cupboard and get her pregnant.

Judge Thomas emphasized the severity of the communications, stating, 'This was a serious set of communications and went beyond what could be considered disgraceful conduct, even very disgraceful conduct.' He pointed out that Chapman had demonstrated a significant level of premeditation, actively planning and discussing his 'fantasy kidnap' as if it were achievable. The judge noted that although no victim was physically present, Chapman’s own belief in his plans was deeply troubling and indicative of a dangerous mindset.

Chapman’s interactions with the decoy began on March 22, 2019, with the court documents revealing a chat log of over 400 pages. He admitted to multiple charges, including two counts of arranging to commit a child sex offense, attempting to meet a female under 16 following grooming, and attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child. His actions culminated in a guilty plea, and he was sentenced to three years in prison. Additionally, he will be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely upon his release and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years.

This case follows an earlier incident in May 2019, when Chapman, then aged 28, was caught by paedophile hunters after traveling approximately 150 miles to meet what he believed was a child. During that encounter, he sent videos of himself tied up with cable ties and duct tape, expressing a desire to perform similar acts on the supposed child. As with the current case, the individual was a decoy operated by Shadow Hunters UK, who provided evidence leading to his arrest. The court proceedings for that incident also resulted in Chapman pleading guilty to multiple charges of child sexual abuse and grooming, highlighting a pattern of disturbing behavior that has now been firmly addressed by the justice system.