MAN JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES
Anthony Barker, a 52-year-old resident of Grove Road in Rotherham, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for child sexual offences.He was apprehended following an undercover police operation.
Barker believed he was engaging in a conversation with a co-conspirator when he discussed plans to sexually abuse a young girl.
In reality, he was talking to an officer operating a fake account as a decoy.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: “Barker believed his would-be victim was nine years old, and he intentionally arranged to sexually assault them during his online communication with the decoy account between January 5 and 22 2026.
“Thankfully, the profile that Barker was communicating with online was an account run by an undercover officer within the Regional Organised Crime Unit with the aim of catching those who intend to abuse children before they have the chance to act.
“The ROCU team passed the evidence from their communication with Barker to our officers and Barker was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences on January 22.
“Following a search of his address and examination of his mobile phone, he was charged with arranging to commit an offence of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, possession of an indecent image of a child, and making indecent images of children.
“Barker pleaded not guilty to the offences, but was found guilty of each charge following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday June 5.
“He was sentenced the same day to seven years imprisonment and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.” Investigations Officer Hannah Goodwin, the officer in charge of the case, said: “Barker’s offending is incredibly disturbing, and through collaborative working with the ROCU we gathered crucial evidence that helped to see him jailed.
“The Internet Sex Offences Team worked hard to build a case against Barker, and despite him pleading not guilty, his disgusting digital footprint spoke for itself and he was found guilty.
“We remain committed to protecting young people online and we will continue our work to bring online predators to justice before they can put their sick plans into action.”
