CARL MARDEL AND HORRIFIC CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN WAKEFIELD AND PONTEFRACT
Carl Mardel, a man with no fixed address, became the subject of a serious criminal investigation after he engaged in inappropriate online communications with two girls, aged 12 and 14, earlier this year.His actions, which involved explicit discussions of sexual acts, led him to attempt meeting one of the underage girls in a parking lot located in Wakefield.
Unbeknownst to Mardel, he was communicating through decoy profiles that had been set up by an online child protection and pedophile hunter group aimed at catching individuals seeking to exploit minors.
The situation took a swift turn when West Yorkshire Police officers intervened.
They arrested Mardel at the scene in a parking area in Pontefract on October 20.
During his arrest, Mardel expressed remorse, stating, “I can’t believe I was that stupid.
I ruined my life and that of my wife and daughter.” His arrest followed a two-month period of communication with the decoy profiles, which had been designed to mimic genuine minors.
According to court records, Mardel had used a mobile dating app earlier in the year to initiate contact with profiles claiming to belong to a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl.
Over the course of these exchanges, he asked for intimate details about their bodies and discussed sexual activities in detail.
Specifically, for the 12-year-old profile, Mardel maintained contact for two months, engaging extensively in sexually explicit conversations.
In October, he shifted his focus to the 14-year-old profile, where he again solicited graphic information and expressed a desire to meet in person for sexual encounters.
The investigation revealed that Mardel proceeded to the point of visiting a parking lot in Pontefract, where he believed he would meet the 14-year-old girl.
It was at this location that police apprehended him, putting an end to his disturbing plans.
The court was informed of Mardel’s criminal background, including a prior conviction in 2000 for violently raping a 15-year-old girl.
Notably, he was only removed from the sex offender register in 2019, highlighting a long-standing pattern of concerning behavior.
During the sentencing hearing at Leeds Crown Court, Mardel pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempting to pursue a relationship with a girl under 16 and engaging in sexual communication with minors.
His defense attorney, James Littlehales, argued that Mardel was committed to addressing his criminal conduct and emphasized his remorse, stating, “He is determined to deal with his offensive behaviour.
I accept that there is still a considerable way to go.
He is determined to use his sentence wisely and address his criminal conduct.
Admitting that he ruined his life shows he understands the seriousness of what he did.” Judge Mark McKone sentenced Mardel to two years and eight months in prison, with an extended license period of six years.
Additionally, Mardel was issued a Sexual Violence Prevention Order and will remain on the sex offender registry for life.
In his remarks, Recorder McKone highlighted the severity of Mardel’s actions, particularly the extensive contact with the decoy profiles representing minors aged 12 and 14.
Detective Sergeant Ben Howley from the Kirklees Police Online Investigation Team remarked on the case, stating, “Mardel is a committed sex offender and we welcome the judgment handed down by the court today.
He had every intention of committing serious sex offenses against what he believed to be a minor woman after snooping on online conversations, but now he faces jail time instead.
Online child sex offenses are taken incredibly seriously by West Yorkshire Police, with all offenses being thoroughly investigated.” This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online exploitation and protect minors from predatory behavior.
Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of vigilance and the role of online decoy operations in preventing potential harm to children.
