BARRY LANDER FROM ANGLESEY CAUGHT IN SEXUAL MESSAGE SCANDAL INVOLVING CHILD IN CARDIFF
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Anglesey and beyond, Barry Lander, a 48-year-old former police officer and school teacher, was found guilty of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a girl he believed to be just 12 years old.The incident unfolded during an undercover police operation that targeted online predators, revealing the disturbing intentions of Lander, who had been communicating with what he thought was a young girl on a chat platform.
According to court proceedings held at Caernarfon Crown Court, Lander initiated contact with the girl’s account in October 2019, believing he was speaking to a minor.
Over a span of two weeks, the messages exchanged grew increasingly explicit, culminating in a conversation where the possibility of meeting in Cardiff was discussed.
Despite being informed of the girl’s age, Lander’s messages contained references to kissing her neck and touching her nipples, with descriptions of him moving his hands “down,” indicating a clear sexual intent.
During the trial, Lander, who resides in Anglesey, denied any wrongdoing.
He claimed that he was aware from the outset that the account was operated by a vigilante group or paedophile hunter, and that he was deliberately “stringing” the person along to waste their time.
However, the jury was convinced otherwise, convicting him of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
Prosecutor Simon Mintz detailed the progression of the conversation, highlighting an exchange on October 22, 2019, where the discussion shifted to the potential meeting in Cardiff.
The police officer, posing as the girl, asked what she would do if he touched her, to which Lander responded with a suggestive comment: “I hoped you would say you would open your legs lol.” The court heard that even after the police officer ceased replying, Lander continued to send messages, indicating his persistent interest.
It was also revealed that Lander had plans to visit Cardiff in November 2019, although no meeting was ever arranged.
The court heard that Lander’s actions appeared to be motivated by a desire to meet the girl, with potential work commitments in Cardiff during that period.
Judge David Hale, presiding over the case, remarked that Lander had joined the chat room “perhaps at his lowest ebb,” and had suggested moving the conversation to Skype, which the police officer was willing to do.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Hale emphasized that Lander’s claims of recognizing the vigilante nature of the operation were unconvincing.
The judge pointed out that Lander’s language and actions throughout the messages demonstrated a clear sexual interest, and that he had deliberately steered the conversation toward sexual topics.
The judge stated, “What you overlook, perhaps, is the ease with which you used phrases to steer the conversation towards a sexual matter.
They are your phrases throughout.” He further added, “I don’t believe for a minute you thought this was a vigilante.
You didn’t think about anything about this conversation with a young girl culminating in the possibility of going to meet in Cardiff where you knew you had to go as part of your employment in November.” As a result of his actions, Lander was sentenced to two years in prison, with half of that term to be served in custody before being released on licence.
Additionally, he will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years and will be registered as a sex offender for the same period, which will prohibit him from working with children.
Earlier, in February 2021, Lander’s case was brought to light when he was convicted of attempting to groom a 12-year-old girl online.
The jury, by a narrow 10-2 majority, found him guilty after a two-day trial.
Lander, who is married, had denied the charges, claiming he believed the online contact was with an adult or a vigilante.
Prosecutor Simon Rogers argued that Lander was deriving a “thrill” from the explicit conversations, which included comments like “you deserve someone nice” and “you are awesome.” During the trial, Lander explained that he had mistakenly sent a real photograph of himself to someone he thought was an adult, not a child.
The prosecution highlighted clear signs of grooming and boundary-pushing in his messages, which included questions about the girl’s “real” feelings and comments about staying at a Cardiff hotel.
Lander also claimed that he believed the person he was chatting with was in their 30s or 40s, citing their literacy and use of language as reasons for his misconception.
Judge Hale ordered Lander to be bailed until sentencing, which was scheduled for the following month.
The court also mandated that Lander register as a sex offender, emphasizing that the request for a pre-sentence report was not an indication of leniency but a procedural step before sentencing.
