ANTHONY WITTS FROM SOUTHAMPTON ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD SEX OFFENSES DUE TO CEREBRAL PALSY
In August 2023, Anthony Albert Witts, a resident of Mansel Road East in Southampton, was involved in a disturbing case that highlighted the ongoing dangers posed by online predators targeting minors.Witts, aged 63, who relies on a walker to assist his mobility due to his cerebral palsy, appeared at Southampton Crown Court to face serious allegations stemming from a sting operation conducted by vigilant online paedophile hunters.
Witts believed he was communicating with two 13-year-old girls, but in reality, he was engaging with decoys set up by a group dedicated to exposing adults attempting to groom children over the internet.
The operation aimed to protect vulnerable minors from potential harm by catching predators in the act.
According to prosecutor Keely Harvey, Witts admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor in 2021 and subsequently engaging in such conduct again in 2022.
Evidence presented in court revealed that Witts had sent explicit images of himself, both naked and semi-naked, to what he thought were teenage girls.
These images were part of his attempts to establish inappropriate contact.
The first incident came to light after adult decoys identified Witts and confronted him directly.
Following this confrontation, police arrested him.
During police interviews, Witts chose to remain silent, offering no comment, but he did make a remark that suggested some level of awareness: “I did not even realise.” Despite being released under investigation, Witts did not cease his inappropriate online activities.
He believed he was communicating with another 13-year-old girl, with whom he exchanged messages that included him encouraging her to be unshy and suggesting their conversations should remain secret.
This pattern of behavior demonstrated a troubling persistence in his actions.
Judge Christopher Parker KC addressed Witts directly during sentencing, stating, “You plainly had a deviant sexual interest in children.
You attempted to communicate with a 13-year-old girl, not knowing she was a decoy set up by vigilante paedophile hunters.
When you were being investigated for that, you did the same thing again with another supposedly 13-year-old.” In light of these offenses, Witts was sentenced to 22 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was subjected to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, aimed at restricting his future conduct and protecting the public.
Judge Parker emphasized the mitigating factor of Witts’ cerebral palsy, stating, “If it were not for the fact you have cerebral palsy, there is no question you would have immediately been sent downstairs to custody.
It’s difficult to fathom how you could have been so stupid.
Had these been real children, the damage caused by you cannot be estimated.” The judge also issued a stern warning, indicating that if Witts commits another offense, he would face immediate imprisonment.
“Be in no doubt, if I see you again there’s no way out,” he declared, underscoring the seriousness of the case and the potential consequences of further misconduct.
