CHELTENHAM MAN BENJAMIN WILLIS CAUGHT IN DISTURBING ONLINE PREDATION SCHEME
In January 2019, Benjamin Willis, aged 41, a resident of St James’ Square in Cheltenham, faced serious legal proceedings at Gloucester Crown Court after admitting to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor.The court heard that Willis had been involved in this illicit activity over a period stretching from September 1, 2017, to May 1, 2018.
The case unraveled when Willis believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl named 'Amy' through online messaging.
However, it was revealed during the court proceedings that 'Amy' was not a young girl at all but an adult male paedophile hunter operating under a false identity.
The court was informed that Willis had been duped by a sting operation designed to catch individuals seeking to exploit minors.
Prosecutor Neil Treharne detailed the sequence of events to Judge Michael Cullum, emphasizing that Willis was using a dating application that explicitly states a minimum age requirement of 17.
The conversation between Willis and 'Amy' began innocuously but quickly took a disturbing turn.
By the third message, 'Amy' disclosed her age as 13, which prompted Willis to ask for explicit images, saying, 'Can I have a naughty picture and I will do the same?' He also provided his name and address during the exchange.
The communication then shifted to WhatsApp, where Willis continued to pursue the conversation.
Despite numerous reminders from 'Amy' that she was only 13, Willis persisted, asking for videos and photographs.
He made explicit requests such as, 'Can I have another sexy picture?
I will do the same.
Can I have a picture of you at the school, sexy?' The court noted that 'Amy' did not send any sexual images; all photos received from her were of a fully clothed girl.
In March 2018, Willis took a further step by sending 'Amy' a picture of his naked torso and asking her to show him her breasts and wear knickers.
Subsequently, he sent a video clip of himself without clothes.
Throughout these exchanges, 'Amy' did not request any sexual images, but Willis's behavior was clearly predatory.
It was only in May that the male behind the 'Amy' persona handed over the devices used for communication to the police, which led to Willis's arrest.
The authorities then uncovered the extent of his online activity and the disturbing nature of his communications.
Judge Cullum sentenced Willis to a three-year community order, including 40 sessions of rehabilitation activities.
The judge acknowledged that Willis had no prior criminal record and was diagnosed with autism and schizophrenia, for which he was receiving medication.
However, the judge emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating, 'When you were tricked into communicating with a 13-year-old, you should have stopped immediately.
But you did not.
You made comments that you were interested in her sexually.' The judge also highlighted the damaging impact such behavior can have on young girls and stressed the importance of preventing such incidents.
Willis was also prohibited from working with children and was placed on the sex offender register for five years, underscoring the gravity of his actions and the need for ongoing monitoring to protect the community.
