ANTHONY LOCKHART CAUGHT IN DAVENTRY TRYING TO MEET CHILD FOR SEX

In a disturbing case that highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to protect children from sexual predators, Anthony Lockhart, a 60-year-old man from Daventry, was convicted of multiple serious offences related to his attempts to engage in sexual activities with a minor.

The incident dates back to September 2021, when Lockhart engaged in online communications with a woman he believed to be the mother of an 11-year-old girl. Over several weeks, the conversations intensified, with Lockhart also speaking directly to the young girl. During these exchanges, he made arrangements to meet both the mother and the child at a predetermined location in Daventry, with the apparent intention of sexually abusing the girl.

Unbeknownst to Lockhart, the woman and the girl he was communicating with were actually undercover police officers. When he arrived at the agreed-upon meeting point in Daventry, law enforcement officers swiftly apprehended him. The arrest marked the culmination of an undercover operation aimed at preventing child exploitation.

During police interviews, Lockhart claimed that his involvement in the online conversations was solely for the purpose of gathering evidence to report to authorities later. However, a search of his residence revealed a different story. Officers discovered numerous sex toys, which were consistent with intentions to commit sexual abuse against a child, further implicating him in the criminal activity.

Following his arrest, Lockhart faced multiple charges, including arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and possession of extreme pornography. In January of this year, he pleaded guilty to these offences at Northampton Crown Court.

His sentencing took place last week, on February 10, at the same court, where he was sentenced to a year in prison. The authorities expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the importance of proactive policing in safeguarding children.

Commenting on the case, a police spokesperson stated, “I am really pleased we were able to bring him to justice before he harmed a real child and I hope this case demonstrates our proactivity. We will not simply wait for offenders to come to us, but infiltrate their world in order to protect our children in this county from harm.”