STANLEY SEX OFFENDER ASKED 'GIRL', FOR TOPLESS IMAGES, IN ONLINE CHAT
A man convicted of sexual offences initiated inappropriate online comments upon learning that the individual he was communicating with, named ‘Leyla’, was only 12 years old.However, Callum John Thompson was unaware that ‘Leyla’ was actually an undercover police officer using a decoy profile to catch online sex offenders attempting to exploit minors.
The 23-year-old reached out to ‘Leyla’ on the ChatIW platform and soon requested to continue their conversation on WhatsApp.
Despite being informed of her age, he made sexual advances, asking for a photograph of her breasts and sending a picture of his own face.
Prosecutor Ellen Wright stated that Thompson also encouraged her to perform a sexual act, offering assistance if she was unsure, and requested images of her doing so.
On May 28, the day after initial contact, officers arrived at Thompson’s home in Stanley based on intelligence from West Midlands Police.
They found him holding his phone and quickly pressing buttons.
After ordering him to hand over the device, police arrested him on suspicion of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor.
During arrest, Thompson remarked, “I won’t be coming back tonight,” and admitted, “my bad.” A phone and a laptop seized by authorities were examined, revealing that Thompson had used the alias ‘CoolClub25’ on a Discord account, which he had not disclosed to his risk manager.
In police interviews, Thompson chose not to respond to questions.
He, of Clover Hill Court, pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite sexual activity, as well as failing to comply with sex offender notification obligations.
It was noted that he has a prior conviction for producing indecent images of children, which resulted in the imposition of sex offender registration and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, both valid for five years in 2023.
In mitigation, Tony Davis highlighted Thompson’s isolated lifestyle online and suggested he has a sexual preoccupation.
He recommended assistance from the Probation Service, emphasizing his need to be guided away from online platforms.
Davis also mentioned Thompson's diagnoses of dyspraxia, autism, and ADHD.
He described the current case as an opportunity, since no direct contact offences occurred, and argued that while punishment is warranted, rehabilitation is paramount.
Judge Edward Legard stated that Thompson was clearly aware that ‘Leyla’ was 12 when contact was first made.
Thompson appeared via video link from HMP Holme House, where he has been held on remand since his arrest.
The judge sentenced him to 14 months in prison, suggesting that an immediate sentence would be justified to express public outrage.
However, given his time in custody, he opted to suspend the sentence for two years.
He stressed the importance of rehabilitation, ordering Thompson to complete 20 days on an accredited probation program and up to ten days of further activity.
Additionally, Thompson was mandated to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and register as a sex offender for another decade.
Judge Legard concluded by warning Thompson that this was his final chance, stating that any repeat offence would result in immediate imprisonment.
