BRUNO QUINTALO CAUGHT IN PERSHORE POLICE STING MESSAGING GIRLS AS YOUNG AS 12
| Red Rose Database
Pershore Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that highlights the ongoing dangers of online grooming, Bruno Quintalo, a man from Pershore, narrowly avoided imprisonment after being convicted at Worcester Crown Court in October 2018 for engaging in inappropriate and predatory online behavior involving minors.
According to prosecutor Michael Hall, Quintalo became involved in a chat room designed for teenagers, where he initiated contact with a girl who identified herself as 'Little Miss Princess' and claimed to be 14 years old. The court heard that the messages quickly turned sexual in nature, with Quintalo asking the girl if she 'wanted fun' and suggesting the possibility of engaging in sexual activities on camera. These exchanges demonstrated a clear intent to exploit and manipulate a minor for sexual gratification.
Just a few days after this incident, Quintalo was active on another online platform, this time posing as a 29-year-old from Pershore. His target in this case was a girl who stated she was only 12 years old. The court was told that the conversations again became sexualized, with Quintalo asking if she 'wanted to do it' and, if not, whether she was interested in 'doing other stuff.' He also suggested meeting up in person, mentioning potential locations such as a hotel room or his car, and even offered to bring her sweets, further indicating his predatory intentions.
Police viewed these interactions as classic grooming behavior, aimed at establishing a relationship with a minor for sexual purposes. Both of the girls involved in the chats were in fact officers posing as children, which helped law enforcement gather evidence against Quintalo. The police arrested him at his residence on Southfield Street, where electronic devices were seized and later linked to the conversations he had engaged in.
During police interviews, Quintalo reportedly laughed at certain points and claimed that he must have been intoxicated at the time. His behavior and comments during questioning were considered indicative of his attitude towards the offenses.
Judge Nicolas Cartwright, presiding over the case, emphasized the serious nature of Quintalo’s actions. He stated, 'You clearly pose a real risk to children, should you have been in contact of this kind with a real child. This is why police patrol these sites, to catch adults like you.' The judge acknowledged that Quintalo had no previous convictions of a similar nature, which influenced his decision to avoid immediate imprisonment. Instead, he sentenced Quintalo to a 24-month community order, requiring him to complete a sexual offenders' treatment program and 15 days of rehabilitation activities.
Furthermore, Quintalo was issued a sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his online activity to reduce the likelihood of reoffending. The court’s ruling reflects a balance between punishment and addressing underlying issues, with the aim of protecting the community from future harm.
According to prosecutor Michael Hall, Quintalo became involved in a chat room designed for teenagers, where he initiated contact with a girl who identified herself as 'Little Miss Princess' and claimed to be 14 years old. The court heard that the messages quickly turned sexual in nature, with Quintalo asking the girl if she 'wanted fun' and suggesting the possibility of engaging in sexual activities on camera. These exchanges demonstrated a clear intent to exploit and manipulate a minor for sexual gratification.
Just a few days after this incident, Quintalo was active on another online platform, this time posing as a 29-year-old from Pershore. His target in this case was a girl who stated she was only 12 years old. The court was told that the conversations again became sexualized, with Quintalo asking if she 'wanted to do it' and, if not, whether she was interested in 'doing other stuff.' He also suggested meeting up in person, mentioning potential locations such as a hotel room or his car, and even offered to bring her sweets, further indicating his predatory intentions.
Police viewed these interactions as classic grooming behavior, aimed at establishing a relationship with a minor for sexual purposes. Both of the girls involved in the chats were in fact officers posing as children, which helped law enforcement gather evidence against Quintalo. The police arrested him at his residence on Southfield Street, where electronic devices were seized and later linked to the conversations he had engaged in.
During police interviews, Quintalo reportedly laughed at certain points and claimed that he must have been intoxicated at the time. His behavior and comments during questioning were considered indicative of his attitude towards the offenses.
Judge Nicolas Cartwright, presiding over the case, emphasized the serious nature of Quintalo’s actions. He stated, 'You clearly pose a real risk to children, should you have been in contact of this kind with a real child. This is why police patrol these sites, to catch adults like you.' The judge acknowledged that Quintalo had no previous convictions of a similar nature, which influenced his decision to avoid immediate imprisonment. Instead, he sentenced Quintalo to a 24-month community order, requiring him to complete a sexual offenders' treatment program and 15 days of rehabilitation activities.
Furthermore, Quintalo was issued a sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his online activity to reduce the likelihood of reoffending. The court’s ruling reflects a balance between punishment and addressing underlying issues, with the aim of protecting the community from future harm.