FARNHAM MAN ANDY FIELD CAUGHT BY ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION TEAM WITH CONDOMS AND KNIFE

In June 2017, a disturbing case unfolded in Farnham involving a man named Andy Field, who was ultimately taken into custody after falling victim to an undercover online child protection operation. The operation was meticulously planned, with officers posing as underage girls on social media platforms to catch predators attempting to exploit minors.

Andy Field, aged 24, engaged in conversations with two fake Facebook profiles created by the authorities, both of which appeared to be 11-year-old girls. Throughout these interactions, he displayed alarming predatory behavior, requesting explicit images of their private parts and even sending a photograph of his erect penis. His questions delved into sexual topics, including oral sex and the girls' experiences with losing their virginity.

He went further to suggest engaging in sexual activities in a nearby wooded area, advising the fictitious girls that they could pretend to be older—around 17 or 18 years old—if questioned by others. His grooming tactics aimed to desensitize and manipulate the minors into meeting him in person. After several days of online communication, he proposed to meet at Farnham Train Station, believing he was about to carry out a sexual encounter.

However, his plans were thwarted when two members of the public, who had been monitoring the profiles, recognized the suspicious behavior and contacted the police. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Andy Field waiting at the station. A search of his person revealed the presence of condoms and a 12cm knife, raising further concerns about his intentions and preparedness.

Following his arrest, Field was taken into custody and subsequently charged with multiple offenses. He faced two counts of attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 following grooming, for which he received a sentence of three years each. Additionally, he was convicted of possessing a bladed article in a public place, resulting in an extra one-year sentence. Upon his release, he will be subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, aimed at preventing any future offenses and protecting the community from potential harm.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from predators operating under the guise of anonymity on social media platforms. The actions of the public and police in Farnham serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and swift intervention in safeguarding children from exploitation.