ANTHONY PRESS IN HULL SENTENCED AFTER SEARCHING FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY A MONTH AFTER SPARED JAIL
2025-01-11 06:16: In a disturbing case originating in Hull, Anthony Press, aged 37, faced serious criminal charges after he engaged in illicit online conversations under the false belief that he was communicating with a 12-year-old girl.In reality, his online interactions were with an undercover police officer who was posing as a young girl.
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online grooming and the tactics used by authorities to trap offenders.
Press had already been under investigation for a similar incident involving a decoy when the new offenses took place.
Between June 13 and June 27 of the previous year, he participated in online chats with a fictional profile created by the police.
The profile belonged to a character named "Emma," who was depicted as a 12-year-old girl and used the alias "Yorkshirelass123." Press's online alias was "Anthony1981," marking his digital identity during these conversations.
During the exchanges, Press initiated contact and made highly inappropriate and sexual remarks.
At one point, he asked the supposed girl, "Can I get your pants down, honey?" Despite the girl explicitly stating her age, indicating that she was only 12, Press continued with increasingly explicit sexual comments.
He even suggested they meet in person, proposing dates on "Friday or Saturday" to carry out these alleged plans.
Further incriminating evidence emerged when Press provided his mobile phone number during the chats.
Investigators discovered that the phone number was linked to a local care centre where he had previously sought assistance.
The phone was also traced to his residence on Trippet Street, situated in the heart of Hull city centre.
Based on this evidence, police officers paid him a visit at his home on July 9 and subsequently arrested him.
According to prosecutor Stephen Robinson, Press genuinely believed he was conversing with a 12-year-old girl.
However, this was a deception orchestrated by police, as the profile and conversations were part of an undercover operation.
This operation was linked to a previous incident in January, where Press had engaged with another decoy named "Chantelle Manchester," who was actually a member of the Northern Justice group, a known paedophile hunting collective.
The group creates fake profiles and begins contact with suspects, responding in a way that appears naive and innocent, often stating their age to establish the juvenile status.
In the January encounter, Chantelle waited for Press on a chat site, with their first contact occurring at 3 a.m.
on January 18.
During this exchange, Press expressed a desire to meet her in Manchester, stating he would call when he arrived.
However, he did not show up, later claiming he was "unwell." Investigators found her contact number on a piece of paper hidden in his flat.
An example of his chat with Chantelle, as presented in court, included typical grooming language: "PRESS: What are you wearing baby?
CHANTELLE: Clothes.
PRESS: Can I have my hand in your knickers baby?
CHANTELLE: What do you mean?
I'm 13." Press didn't stop at innuendo; he also made explicit comments about what he would like to do to the girl, including bizarre desires such as watching her urinate.
These conversations exhibited a clear pattern of seeking illicit sexual encounters despite his false belief that he was speaking to a minor.
The Northern Justice group shared Press's details with a Hull-based team called Team Hunters, which usually confronts such offenders and sometimes streams live their interactions on social media platforms like Facebook.
However, upon learning that Press had cerebral palsy, the group chose a more responsible route by passing his information directly to police authorities.
Law enforcement detained Press in a taxi near his residence at 1:30 p.m.
on January 21.
Initially denying any wrongdoing, he later admitted to two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.
Importantly, he had no previous criminal convictions.
During sentencing, Clare Holmes, representing the defense, argued that society would be better served if Press participated in a community-based sex offenders treatment program, which was recommended in a pre-sentence report.
Holmes differentiated between those who send such messages with the intent to act and those who merely indulge in fantasies, asserting that Press would likely have attended a meeting with the supposed girl had he not been caught.
The judge, Recorder Simon Eckersley, described Press’s conduct as "disgraceful" and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to complete a 90-day sex offenders treatment program and undertake 15 days of rehabilitation.
A sexual harm prevention order was imposed for ten years, and Press was also required to register as a sex offender during this period, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the public.
--------------------------- 2019-03-10 00:01: 2025-01-11 06:16: In a disturbing case originating in Hull, Anthony Press, aged 37, faced serious criminal charges after he engaged in illicit online conversations under the false belief that he was communicating with a 12-year-old girl.
In reality, his online interactions were with an undercover police officer who was posing as a young girl.
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online grooming and the tactics used by authorities to trap offenders.
Press had already been under investigation for a similar incident involving a decoy when the new offenses took place.
Between June 13 and June 27 of the previous year, he participated in online chats with a fictional profile created by the police.
The profile belonged to a character named "Emma," who was depicted as a 12-year-old girl and used the alias "Yorkshirelass123." Press's online alias was "Anthony1981," marking his digital identity during these conversations.
During the exchanges, Press initiated contact and made highly inappropriate and sexual remarks.
At one point, he asked the supposed girl, "Can I get your pants down, honey?" Despite the girl explicitly stating her age, indicating that she was only 12, Press continued with increasingly explicit sexual comments.
He even suggested they meet in person, proposing dates on "Friday or Saturday" to carry out these alleged plans.
Further incriminating evidence emerged when Press provided his mobile phone number during the chats.
Investigators discovered that the phone number was linked to a local care centre where he had previously sought assistance.
The phone was also traced to his residence on Trippet Street, situated in the heart of Hull city centre.
Based on this evidence, police officers paid him a visit at his home on July 9 and subsequently arrested him.
According to prosecutor Stephen Robinson, Press genuinely believed he was conversing with a 12-year-old girl.
However, this was a deception orchestrated by police, as the profile and conversations were part of an undercover operation.
This operation was linked to a previous incident in January, where Press had engaged with another decoy named "Chantelle Manchester," who was actually a member of the Northern Justice group, a known paedophile hunting collective.
The group creates fake profiles and begins contact with suspects, responding in a way that appears naive and innocent, often stating their age to establish the juvenile status.
In the January encounter, Chantelle waited for Press on a chat site, with their first contact occurring at 3 a.m.
on January 18.
During this exchange, Press expressed a desire to meet her in Manchester, stating he would call when he arrived.
However, he did not show up, later claiming he was "unwell." Investigators found her contact number on a piece of paper hidden in his flat.
An example of his chat with Chantelle, as presented in court, included typical grooming language: "PRESS: What are you wearing baby?
CHANTELLE: Clothes.
PRESS: Can I have my hand in your knickers baby?
CHANTELLE: What do you mean?
I'm 13." Press didn't stop at innuendo; he also made explicit comments about what he would like to do to the girl, including bizarre desires such as watching her urinate.
These conversations exhibited a clear pattern of seeking illicit sexual encounters despite his false belief that he was speaking to a minor.
The Northern Justice group shared Press's details with a Hull-based team called Team Hunters, which usually confronts such offenders and sometimes streams live their interactions on social media platforms like Facebook.
However, upon learning that Press had cerebral palsy, the group chose a more responsible route by passing his information directly to police authorities.
Law enforcement detained Press in a taxi near his residence at 1:30 p.m.
on January 21.
Initially denying any wrongdoing, he later admitted to two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.
Importantly, he had no previous criminal convictions.
During sentencing, Clare Holmes, representing the defense, argued that society would be better served if Press participated in a community-based sex offenders treatment program, which was recommended in a pre-sentence report.
Holmes differentiated between those who send such messages with the intent to act and those who merely indulge in fantasies, asserting that Press would likely have attended a meeting with the supposed girl had he not been caught.
The judge, Recorder Simon Eckersley, described Press’s conduct as "disgraceful" and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to complete a 90-day sex offenders treatment program and undertake 15 days of rehabilitation.
A sexual harm prevention order was imposed for ten years, and Press was also required to register as a sex offender during this period, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the public.
--------------------------- 2019-03-10 00:01: 2025-01-11 06:16: In a disturbing case originating in Hull, Anthony Press, aged 37, faced serious criminal charges after he engaged in illicit online conversations under the false belief that he was communicating with a 12-year-old girl.
In reality, his online interactions were with an undercover police officer who was posing as a young girl.
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online grooming and the tactics used by authorities to trap offenders.
Press had already been under investigation for a similar incident involving a decoy when the new offenses took place.
Between June 13 and June 27 of the previous year, he participated in online chats with a fictional profile created by the police.
The profile belonged to a character named "Emma," who was depicted as a 12-year-old girl and used the alias "Yorkshirelass123." Press's online alias was "Anthony1981," marking his digital identity during these conversations.
During the exchanges, Press initiated contact and made highly inappropriate and sexual remarks.
At one point, he asked the supposed girl, "Can I get your pants down, honey?" Despite the girl explicitly stating her age, indicating that she was only 12, Press continued with increasingly explicit sexual comments.
He even suggested they meet in person, proposing dates on "Friday or Saturday" to carry out these alleged plans.
Further incriminating evidence emerged when Press provided his mobile phone number during the chats.
Investigators discovered that the phone number was linked to a local care centre where he had previously sought assistance.
The phone was also traced to his residence on Trippet Street, situated in the heart of Hull city centre.
Based on this evidence, police officers paid him a visit at his home on July 9 and subsequently arrested him.
According to prosecutor Stephen Robinson, Press genuinely believed he was conversing with a 12-year-old girl.
However, this was a deception orchestrated by police, as the profile and conversations were part of an undercover operation.
This operation was linked to a previous incident in January, where Press had engaged with another decoy named "Chantelle Manchester," who was actually a member of the Northern Justice group, a known paedophile hunting collective.
The group creates fake profiles and begins contact with suspects, responding in a way that appears naive and innocent, often stating their age to establish the juvenile status.
In the January encounter, Chantelle waited for Press on a chat site, with their first contact occurring at 3 a.m.
on January 18.
During this exchange, Press expressed a desire to meet her in Manchester, stating he would call when he arrived.
However, he did not show up, later claiming he was "unwell." Investigators found her contact number on a piece of paper hidden in his flat.
An example of his chat with Chantelle, as presented in court, included typical grooming language: "PRESS: What are you wearing baby?
CHANTELLE: Clothes.
PRESS: Can I have my hand in your knickers baby?
CHANTELLE: What do you mean?
I'm 13." Press didn't stop at innuendo; he also made explicit comments about what he would like to do to the girl, including bizarre desires such as watching her urinate.
These conversations exhibited a clear pattern of seeking illicit sexual encounters despite his false belief that he was speaking to a minor.
The Northern Justice group shared Press's details with a Hull-based team called Team Hunters, which usually confronts such offenders and sometimes streams live their interactions on social media platforms like Facebook.
However, upon learning that Press had cerebral palsy, the group chose a more responsible route by passing his information directly to police authorities.
Law enforcement detained Press in a taxi near his residence at 1:30 p.m.
on January 21.
Initially denying any wrongdoing, he later admitted to two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.
Importantly, he had no previous criminal convictions.
During sentencing, Clare Holmes, representing the defense, argued that society would be better served if Press participated in a community-based sex offenders treatment program, which was recommended in a pre-sentence report.
Holmes differentiated between those who send such messages with the intent to act and those who merely indulge in fantasies, asserting that Press would likely have attended a meeting with the supposed girl had he not been caught.
The judge, Recorder Simon Eckersley, described Press’s conduct as "disgraceful" and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to complete a 90-day sex offenders treatment program and undertake 15 days of rehabilitation.
A sexual harm prevention order was imposed for ten years, and Press was also required to register as a sex offender during this period, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the public.
--------------------------- 2019-03-10 00:01: 2025-01-11 06:16: In a disturbing case originating in Hull, Anthony Press, aged 37, faced serious criminal charges after he engaged in illicit online conversations under the false belief that he was communicating with a 12-year-old girl.
In reality, his online interactions were with an undercover police officer who was posing as a young girl.
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online grooming and the tactics used by authorities to trap offenders.
Press had already been under investigation for a similar incident involving a decoy when the new offenses took place.
Between June 13 and June 27 of the previous year, he participated in online chats with a fictional profile created by the police.
The profile belonged to a character named "Emma," who was depicted as a 12-year-old girl and used the alias "Yorkshirelass123." Press's online alias was "Anthony1981," marking his digital identity during these conversations.
During the exchanges, Press initiated contact and made highly inappropriate and sexual remarks.
At one point, he asked the supposed girl, "Can I get your pants down, honey?" Despite the girl explicitly stating her age, indicating that she was only 12, Press continued with increasingly explicit sexual comments.
He even suggested they meet in person, proposing dates on "Friday or Saturday" to carry out these alleged plans.
Further incriminating evidence emerged when Press provided his mobile phone number during the chats.
Investigators discovered that the phone number was linked to a local care centre where he had previously sought assistance.
The phone was also traced to his residence on Trippet Street, situated in the heart of Hull city centre.
Based on this evidence, police officers paid him a visit at his home on July 9 and subsequently arrested him.
According to prosecutor Stephen Robinson, Press genuinely believed he was conversing with a 12-year-old girl.
However, this was a deception orchestrated by police, as the profile and conversations were part of an undercover operation.
This operation was linked to a previous incident in January, where Press had engaged with another decoy named "Chantelle Manchester," who was actually a member of the Northern Justice group, a known paedophile hunting collective.
The group creates fake profiles and begins contact with suspects, responding in a way that appears naive and innocent, often stating their age to establish the juvenile status.
In the January encounter, Chantelle waited for Press on a chat site, with their first contact occurring at 3 a.m.
on January 18.
During this exchange, Press expressed a desire to meet her in Manchester, stating he would call when he arrived.
However, he did not show up, later claiming he was "unwell." Investigators found her contact number on a piece of paper hidden in his flat.
An example of his chat with Chantelle, as presented in court, included typical grooming language: "PRESS: What are you wearing baby?
CHANTELLE: Clothes.
PRESS: Can I have my hand in your knickers baby?
CHANTELLE: What do you mean?
I'm 13." Press didn't stop at innuendo; he also made explicit comments about what he would like to do to the girl, including bizarre desires such as watching her urinate.
These conversations exhibited a clear pattern of seeking illicit sexual encounters despite his false belief that he was speaking to a minor.
The Northern Justice group shared Press's details with a Hull-based team called Team Hunters, which usually confronts such offenders and sometimes streams live their interactions on social media platforms like Facebook.
However, upon learning that Press had cerebral palsy, the group chose a more responsible route by passing his information directly to police authorities.
Law enforcement detained Press in a taxi near his residence at 1:30 p.m.
on January 21.
Initially denying any wrongdoing, he later admitted to two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.
Importantly, he had no previous criminal convictions.
During sentencing, Clare Holmes, representing the defense, argued that society would be better served if Press participated in a community-based sex offenders treatment program, which was recommended in a pre-sentence report.
Holmes differentiated between those who send such messages with the intent to act and those who merely indulge in fantasies, asserting that Press would likely have attended a meeting with the supposed girl had he not been caught.
The judge, Recorder Simon Eckersley, described Press’s conduct as "disgraceful" and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to complete a 90-day sex offenders treatment program and undertake 15 days of rehabilitation.
A sexual harm prevention order was imposed for ten years, and Press was also required to register as a sex offender during this period, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the public.
--------------------------- 2019-03-10 00:01: In April 2022, a man from Hull, Anthony Press, was convicted after he began searching for indecent images of children only a month after being granted a suspended prison sentence for online chats involving a decoy 12-year-old girl.
Press, 40, residing on Wentworth Way, attempted to conceal his activities by deleting his internet search history.
However, police discovered his secret searches during monitoring checks.
Hull Crown Court heard that Press had been given an 18-month suspended sentence in March 2019 for attempting to communicate sexually with a child, specifically a fictitious 12-year-old girl, with whom he exchanged lewd language.
Despite this leniency, he was found to have violated the courts' conditions by trying to access indecent material shortly after his sentencing.
On April 2, 2019, a detective requested to examine his phone, but Press claimed he had reset the device and lost his browsing history.
It was later revealed that he had searched for terms like "teen brunette f****d" in the early hours, a breach of a court order that prohibited deleting his internet history.
During a further visit on January 31, 2020, police found no indecent images but identified search records indicating he had looked for such content, with data erased after exiting the browser.
Prosecutor Stephen Welch emphasized the seriousness of these breaches, stating, "This was a very serious breach.
The defendant admits it was done deliberately to avoid detection while seeking indecent images of children.
All this material he was seeking was illegal." Press was supposed to update his details with police by September 13, 2020, but he delayed until September 23.
Defense lawyer Hannah Turner acknowledged that, aside from these breaches, Press had complied with his suspended sentence and had gained insight into his behavior.
She noted, "It’s a deliberate breach.
We don’t know the actual material accessed, only the search terms.
He feels embarrassed and ashamed of his actions." Due to his medical difficulties and use of a walking stick, Judge John Thackray QC warned him, "The court provided a golden opportunity for rehabilitation.
Within a month, you committed these serious offences—searching for indecent images and trying to hide that fact.
Child images contribute to ongoing abuse and suffering.
I am not satisfied your risk can be managed in the community or that you can be rehabilitated there." Ultimately, Press received a one-year jail sentence, with an additional four months consecutive to his original suspended term.
Additionally, in March 2019, Press believed he was communicating with a 12-year-old girl online, only to discover it was an undercover police officer.
The officer had created a profile named 'Emma' with the username 'Yorkshirelass123'.
Press, whose online alias was 'Anthony1981', initiated contact by asking, "Can I get your pants down, honey?" and continued with increasingly extreme sexual comments, even suggesting they meet.
Press provided his mobile number, which linked to a local care centre and was used near his home in Trippet Street.
Police arrested him on July 9 at his home after collecting evidence.
Officer Robinson explained that Press thought he was speaking to a girl but was actually talking to an undercover officer.
This arrest followed a previous incident involving a similar decoy, 'Chantelle Manchester', also a member of the Northern Justice paedophile hunting group posing as a 13-year-old girl.
The group aimed to make initial contact with suspects and respond innocently while asserting their age.
On January 18, Press contacted 'Chantelle' at 3 a.m.
on the chat site 'Nearby', requesting a meeting in Manchester, which he did not attend, citing illness.
Police found 'Chantelle's' phone number on a piece of paper at his flat.
Press also made explicit comments about what he wanted to do to the girl and expressed a desire to watch her urinate.
Following his actions, the Northern Justice group passed his details to Hull’s Team Hunters, and he was later arrested on January 21 in a taxi near his home.
Initially denying wrongdoing, Press later pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.
No previous convictions were reported.
Recorder Simon Eckersley described his conduct as "disgraceful" and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.
He was ordered to complete a 90-day sex offenders treatment program and participate in 15 days of rehabilitation.
He was also subject to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order and required to register as a sex offender for the same period.
