LEEDS PAEDOPHILE ANDREW WADSWORTH CAUGHT MULTIPLE TIMES BY HUNTER GROUPS IN SAME DAY
In a disturbing series of events, Andrew Wadsworth, a 56-year-old man from Leeds, was apprehended by three separate paedophile hunter groups on the very same day, highlighting the ongoing dangers posed by individuals with predatory intentions.The incidents have led to a significant extension of his prison sentence, aimed at safeguarding the public from further harm.
Wadsworth, who is a grandfather, engaged in a pattern of inappropriate and sexualized communication with what he believed were teenage girls aged 13 and 14.
Unbeknownst to him, these interactions were with fake profiles created by vigilant online groups dedicated to exposing such offenders.
The groups involved in his capture include Predator Exposure, Net Justice on behalf of The Children’s Voice, and Predator Closure.
The Leeds Crown Court heard that on December 18 of the previous year, Wadsworth initiated contact with three separate profiles, each claiming to belong to teenage schoolgirls.
These interactions occurred while Wadsworth was already on bail, having been caught by another vigilante group in March of the same year.
His actions involved making graphic sexual requests and urging the fake 'girls' to send explicit images of themselves.
Prosecutor Richard Walters described Wadsworth’s messages as being delivered in a “demanding and controlling tone,” which underscored the predatory nature of his communications.
One particularly disturbing incident involved Wadsworth asking one of the 'girls' to get her mother’s mobile phone and use it to send him photographs.
To gain her trust, he falsely claimed to work for the ambulance service, a tactic often used by predators to appear trustworthy and manipulate their victims.
Further details revealed that Wadsworth was confronted by members of a paedophile hunter group in Leeds on March 13 of the previous year.
This confrontation was streamed live on Facebook, bringing public attention to his actions.
Despite being due to be sentenced on December 20 for this earlier offence, Wadsworth committed three additional offences just two days before his scheduled hearing, demonstrating a pattern of offending behavior.
Wadsworth, who resides at Potternewton Court, Chapel Allerton, pleaded guilty to four counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.
His case was further complicated by a long-standing criminal history, including a conviction from 1988 for sex offences committed against a four-year-old boy.
Following a thorough assessment, a probation officer classified Wadsworth as posing a serious risk to the public.
The report indicated that he was “preoccupied with sexual thoughts and fantasies” and showed no motivation to address or change his offending behavior.
In light of these findings, Judge Tom Bayliss, QC, sentenced Wadsworth to an extended prison term of six years.
This sentence comprises a three-year custodial period, followed by an extended three-year licence period, designed to monitor and prevent further offending after his release.
Judge Bayliss emphasized the public concern surrounding such offences, stating, “This is an offence that will be of concern to the public.
It is fortunate that these were not children and they were in fact decoy accounts.” The case underscores the ongoing threat posed by individuals like Wadsworth and the importance of vigilant community and law enforcement efforts to protect vulnerable populations from sexual exploitation and abuse.
