BARRY WILLIAMS FROM LOWER WICK INVOLVED IN CHILD SEX CRIME AT DORSET WATER PARK

In April 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving Barry Williams, a 61-year-old man residing in Lower Wick, near Dursley. Williams became the subject of a serious criminal investigation after it was revealed that he had engaged in inappropriate online communications with a 15-year-old girl from Hertfordshire. Under the alias 'Baz the diver,' Williams attempted to manipulate and groom the young girl through internet chatrooms, engaging her in sexual conversations and asking personal questions that indicated a predatory intent.

According to court proceedings, between August 12 and August 27, Williams actively tried to persuade the girl to attend a naturist event at Splashdown water park located in Poole, Dorset. His goal was to meet her there in person, which he explicitly expressed during their online exchanges. Despite his efforts, the girl did not attend the event, but Williams did go to Splashdown, raising further concerns about his intentions.

Prosecutor Janine Wood outlined that Williams not only sought to meet the girl but also suggested he knew a man who could take photographs of her, implying an intent to exploit her sexually. Additionally, Williams proposed that he would lie about her age to gain access to various premises, further demonstrating his manipulative and predatory behavior. The court heard that Williams's actions bore the hallmarks of grooming, a process used by offenders to establish trust and manipulate minors for sexual purposes.

During the hearing at Gloucester Crown Court, Judge Ian Lawrie QC described Williams's conduct as deeply troubling, stating, "He has got a dark secret lurking in his soul." Williams pleaded guilty to charges related to arranging or facilitating a child sex offence, and as a result, he was sentenced to 32 months in prison. The judge also ordered that Williams must sign the sex offenders register for life and imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to restrict his future activities.

In his own defense, Williams claimed, "A fantasy got into my head," attempting to justify his actions. However, Judge Lawrie condemned his behavior as a calculated attempt at seduction, emphasizing the severity of his misconduct and the danger posed to minors. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable young people from predators operating under the guise of anonymity on the internet.