HULL SEX OFFENDER BRIAN GREENAWAY SENTENCED AFTER ONLINE PREDATION IN HULL AND WEST PARK
In a disturbing case that highlights ongoing concerns about online safety and the behavior of convicted sex offenders, Brian Greenaway, a 58-year-old resident of Spring Bank West in Hull, has been sentenced to prison following a series of alarming online interactions with a decoy posing as a 12-year-old girl.Greenaway’s actions came to light after a member of an online anti-child abuse group discovered his communications with the decoy on social media platforms Facebook and WhatsApp between September 1 and 4 of the previous year.
Despite being aware of his status as a registered sex offender, Greenaway used his real name, age, and personal details in his online profile, which included his date of birth and his home city, Hull.
This transparency in his profile was intended to give an impression of honesty, but it ultimately facilitated his illegal and predatory behavior.
During the exchanges, Greenaway sent a clothed photograph of himself, accompanied by a warning to the decoy girl to be cautious about who she interacted with online.
He also made comments about her age, suggesting she was young, and inquired whether she had a boyfriend.
As the conversations progressed, Greenaway’s language became increasingly sexualized, and he used graphic and explicit language to describe intimate body parts.
He even instructed her to delete certain messages, claiming it was because he was an adult and she was a minor, indicating an awareness of the illicit nature of his actions.
Further escalating his misconduct, Greenaway sent a private part of his body in a photograph, requested an intimate picture from the decoy girl, and shared a video of himself performing a sex act.
His communications were filled with sexual content, and he discussed sexual matters openly, all while knowing he was engaging with a minor in a deceptive online environment.
Greenaway’s arrest followed on September 6, when authorities seized his phone.
It was revealed that he had a long history of offending, with convictions for 80 previous offences, including indecent assault and gross indecency involving girls.
Notably, he had previously failed to register his details as a sex offender in 2003 and 2005.
Less than a year prior to his latest arrest, in January last year, he was convicted of engaging in sexual communication with a child in West Park, Hull, and was given a suspended six-month prison sentence along with an order to register as a sex offender for seven years.
Despite this, Greenaway breached his notification requirements and continued to offend.
He appeared in court again in August last year for breaching the order, but the court allowed the order to continue.
The recent offences, involving the online predation, were found to be in violation of that order.
During the sentencing hearing, Hannah Turner, representing Greenaway, explained that the offences occurred over a brief period of just seven days.
She acknowledged the significant disparity in age between Greenaway and the decoy girl, and described him as lonely, naive, and potentially vulnerable at the time.
Turner emphasized that Greenaway expressed remorse for his actions and admitted to struggles with alcohol, which may have contributed to his behavior.
Judge Mark Bury addressed Greenaway directly, stating, “You contacted who you thought was a 12-year-old girl.
Before very long, the conversation became more sinister and sexual.
You knew what you were doing because you asked her to delete your conversations.
There was no actual harm done to any child because there wasn’t one.
It was a decoy.
I can’t ignore your intention.
You knew full well that you were talking to a 12-year-old girl and you were instructing her to carry out sexual acts for your own sexual gratification.” He further condemned Greenaway’s repeated misconduct, noting that the offenses were committed knowingly and over a short span of time, with explicit images and videos exchanged.
The court found that Greenaway had not complied with his previous suspended sentence and had reoffended, which warranted a custodial sentence.
Greenaway, who was already in custody on remand, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.
An additional six months was added to his sentence, as the previous suspended sentence from last year was activated.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of his phone, which contained evidence of his crimes.
It was also revealed that Greenaway had previously been involved in incidents at West Park, Hull, where he had engaged in sexual communication with children in 2020.
His behavior at that time led to a court appearance and a conviction.
His repeated breaches of court orders and his failure to attend programs such as the Horizon sex offender scheme, often while under the influence of alcohol, demonstrated a pattern of non-compliance and ongoing risk.
Greenaway’s case underscores the persistent dangers posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially when they continue to breach legal restrictions and engage in online predatory behavior.
His actions have once again brought to light the importance of vigilant monitoring and enforcement to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and harm.
