ANDREW SMITH FROM HOYLAKE CAUGHT IN FACEBOOK PAEDOPHILE TRAP IN LIVERPOOL

In a case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and the vigilance of community-led initiatives, Andrew Smith, a 45-year-old resident of Carr Lane in Hoylake, Wirral, was recently convicted of attempting to engage in sexual activities with a minor through social media. The incident unfolded in February 2016 when Smith was lured into a sting operation orchestrated by a vigilant paedophile hunter, who used a fictitious identity to expose his intentions.

Smith believed he was communicating with a 12-year-old girl named ‘Mary Leask’ on Facebook. Unbeknownst to him, the entire interaction was a carefully planned trap led by a woman named Annmarie, who created the fake profile. The supposed victim, ‘Mary,’ was entirely a figment of Annmarie’s imagination, and the entire scenario was designed to catch predators like Smith.

During the court proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Norman Wright acknowledged that ‘Mary’ did not exist as a real person. Despite this, Smith was sentenced to 25 months in prison for his actions. The court heard that Smith had initiated contact with the fake profile by sending a friend request on November 6 of the previous year. Following this, the two engaged in a private messaging exchange that lasted for 11 days, during which they exchanged approximately 1,900 messages.

Throughout their conversations, ‘Mary’ made it clear she was only 12 years old. However, Smith misrepresented his age, claiming he was 44, and asked if it was acceptable for them to continue talking. He also made inappropriate comments, including telling her she was “sexy” and discussing her going through puberty. The conversation took a disturbing turn when Smith expressed a desire to meet in Liverpool, falsely believing that ‘Mary’ lived there. He suggested that when her mother was out at work, it would be an ideal time for them to have sex.

Smith also discussed the possibility of sexual activity, mentioning that he would like to have sex with her and warning about the dangers of pregnancy. He told the fake ‘Mary’ that if anyone found out she was pregnant, he could get into serious trouble, saying, “if anyone finds out you’re pregnant I will get locked up.” When questioned by police, Smith claimed that ‘Mary’ had sent him a friend request and that her profile indicated she was born in 1963, initially without a picture. He insisted that his actions were “all a bit of a laugh to wind her up” and denied having any paedophile tendencies.

Further investigations revealed that Smith had also engaged in inappropriate conversations with a 15-year-old girl on his mobile phone. However, no charges were filed in relation to this incident. Smith admitted to attempting to incite a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity, which led to his conviction.

During the sentencing, Carmel Wilde, representing Smith, argued that there was no real victim involved, which she considered a “perhaps one saving grace.” She explained that Smith struggled with dyslexia, had difficulty communicating, and relied heavily on his family for support with daily tasks. Wilde also highlighted that Smith was suffering from depression, had not formed meaningful friendships or long-term relationships, and often sought solace online.

Judge Wright described Smith’s conduct as “grooming,” emphasizing the calculated nature of his actions. He pointed out that ‘Mary’ was a fabricated identity created by Annmarie, likely motivated by concerns about online predators. The judge stated, “She created the false identity of Mary, a 12-year-old girl, and waited to see what happened. You happened.”

As part of his sentence, Smith was issued a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, underscoring the seriousness of his offending and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.