ANDREW STONEHOUSE CAUGHT IN KNEBWORTH ONLINE PREDATOR SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Knebworth, Hertfordshire, police successfully apprehended Andrew Stonehouse, a man accused of attempting to engage in illegal sexual communication with a minor through online platforms. The incident unfolded in June 2022, when law enforcement officers, operating undercover, set up a fictitious online profile to monitor and identify individuals seeking to exploit children.

Stonehouse, aged 54 at the time, initiated contact with a fake account created by the police, which was designed to resemble that of a 13-year-old girl named “Abbi.” This online persona was part of a broader police operation aimed at catching predators who use social media and messaging services to target vulnerable minors. The police had set up the account on the popular messaging app Kik, which is frequently used by young people, to facilitate their undercover investigation.

According to prosecutor Sharn Mardner, during the court proceedings at St Albans Crown Court, Stonehouse claimed to be 53 years old when he contacted the fictitious girl. The police, meanwhile, had made it clear that the account belonged to a 13-year-old girl. The defendant quickly began to ask “Abbi” for photographs, although she did not send any. Instead, Stonehouse sent explicit images of his genitalia, which was part of the evidence collected by the police.

Further, he engaged in sexually explicit conversations, making inappropriate and disturbing remarks. Stonehouse told “Abbi” that he would be gentle if they met for sex, and he urged her to keep their interactions secret, claiming she was too young to tell anyone. These messages demonstrated a clear intent to pursue a sexual relationship with a minor, which is a serious criminal offense.

Following the online exchanges, police officers executed a search warrant at Stonehouse’s residence in Knebworth. During his arrest, he expressed remorse, apologizing to the officers. He admitted to feeling “embarrassed and ashamed” and explained that he was alone, depressed, and lonely, which he claimed contributed to his actions.

Stonehouse subsequently pleaded guilty to four charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, as well as a charge of attempting to persuade a child to watch an act of sexual activity. His guilty plea was accepted by the court, which sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months. As part of his sentence, he is required to complete 20 days of rehabilitation, pay £500 in court costs, and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender for the next seven years.

Judge Richard Foster delivered a stern judgment, condemning Stonehouse’s actions. He stated, “Those messages from a man of your age contacting a girl you thought was 13 make sick reading. Had you been attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child, you would be facing an immediate custodial sentence. Your actions were despicable and had they been carried through would be very serious. You did not meet her. You were arrested at home based on the material the police had through the electronic communications.” The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from predators like Stonehouse in Knebworth and beyond.