ASHLEIGH BUTTERY FROM LINCOLN JAILED FOR GROOMING A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN SHOCKING ONLINE PLOT
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Lincoln, a local man named Ashleigh Buttery has been sentenced to prison after attempting to groom what he believed was a 12-year-old girl.The incident unfolded in December 2018, culminating in Buttery’s arrest and subsequent conviction at Lincoln Crown Court.
According to court proceedings, Buttery, who resides in St Catherine’s Grove, Lincoln, first engaged in an online chat with an individual he thought was a young girl named Vicky.
The conversations quickly escalated from innocent exchanges to explicit sexual discussions, raising serious concerns about his intentions.
During these chats, Buttery also sent an indecent video of himself to the supposed minor and made arrangements to meet her in person.
However, the meeting did not go as planned for Buttery.
When he arrived at the designated location, he was caught in a carefully orchestrated trap set by a vigilant online group.
This group had created a fake profile, posing as the 12-year-old girl, Vicky Payne, to catch potential predators.
The confrontation was recorded and later shared on Facebook by the group, highlighting the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilant community efforts.
Police were called to the scene, and Buttery was promptly arrested.
The 24-year-old appeared before Lincoln Crown Court on Wednesday, December 5, where he faced multiple charges, including attempting to meet a child following grooming and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Despite denying the allegations, the jury found him guilty of all charges.
In sentencing, Recorder Balraj Bhatia emphasized the severity of Buttery’s actions.
He was sentenced to two years in prison and was also issued a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
Additionally, Buttery was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a decade and prohibited from working with children in any capacity.
During the sentencing, Recorder Bhatia remarked, “You made it plain that your passion, which was almost an obsession, was to spend time on the internet in different chat rooms and on social media.
Vicky Payne, the complainant who was supposed to be 12 years old, did not exist.
She was created as a honey trap.
You very quickly moved on to sexual conversations with a person you believed to be a 12-year-old.
That is the worrying aspect of this case.
I take the view that the offences are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.”
