CHRISTOPHER DALTON CAUGHT IN MIDDLETON: HORRIFIC ONLINE PREDATOR HUMILIATED ON FACEBOOK LIVE

In November 2020, a disturbing incident unfolded in Middleton, near Rochdale, Greater Manchester, where a known predator was publicly exposed and humiliated by a vigilant paedophile hunting group. The confrontation was streamed live on Facebook, drawing the attention of thousands of viewers and highlighting the ongoing efforts of community-led initiatives to combat online child exploitation.

Christopher Dalton, aged 33, was the focus of this intense and revealing encounter. The group, known as Our Team, confronted Dalton about his disturbing online behavior, specifically regarding explicit images he had sent to investigators posing as young girls aged 12 and 13. The investigation revealed that Dalton had been engaging in conversations with decoys, which ultimately led to his arrest. During the Facebook Live stream, Dalton was subjected to mockery and ridicule, with the group targeting his trainers and making fun of his forehead size. The stream was designed not only to expose his actions but also to serve as a form of public shaming.

To add a layer of mockery, the group used a filter that depicted Dalton wearing a ‘Wee Willie Winkie’ blue nightcap, accompanied by the sound of a children’s lullaby playing softly in the background. Throughout the stream, Dalton appeared lethargic and slow, seemingly under the influence or overwhelmed by the situation. When questioned about his intentions, investigators showed him the evidence of his misconduct, prompting Dalton to ask why he was being questioned. One investigator then engaged him in a game of “I spy,” asking him to identify an object beginning with the letter ‘P,’ further emphasizing the mockery.

Dalton was also made to perform a series of actions, including placing his finger on his nose, closing his left eye, and sticking out his tongue, as a symbolic promise not to contact children online again. His dilated, bloodshot eyes led investigators to suspect he might be under the influence of alcohol. As part of a mock ‘drugs test,’ he was asked to walk in a straight line with his finger on his nose. When he requested a cigarette lighter, the investigators humorously handed him a mobile phone with the torch turned on, saying, “Well you did say you wanted a light!”

The entire video, lasting approximately 22 minutes, was viewed over 148,000 times before it was reportedly removed from the Our Team Facebook page. The incident culminated in Dalton’s arrest after police arrived at the scene in Middleton. He was taken into custody and later admitted to charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Dalton has since spent five months in custody awaiting trial.

At Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, Dalton faced the consequences of his actions. The defense lawyers criticized the tactics used by the paedophile hunters, condemning the public humiliation as excessive. However, Judge Paul Lawton defended the approach, stating that the humiliation was justified and that Dalton’s own actions had inflicted this punishment upon himself. The judge emphasized that Dalton was aware these were young girls in their formative years, yet he quickly shifted the conversation to sexual topics. The judge also noted Dalton’s alcohol abuse, describing him as an alcoholic who had been drinking cans of lager throughout the day. Dalton had no prior convictions but had served a five-month prison sentence, which the judge suspended.

Further details revealed that on November 22, 2019, the same vigilante group had contacted Dalton, posing as a 12-year-old girl. When she disclosed her age, Dalton responded inappropriately, stating he “didn’t mind,” and sent her a picture of his erect penis, claiming he was “hard.” On the same day, another decoy, posing as 13-year-old Scarlett Davies, contacted Dalton via Facebook. After revealing her age, Dalton began exchanging messages and even asked to set up a video call with her. Prosecutor Andrew Mackintosh described Dalton as appearing intoxicated during these exchanges, slurring his words and showing a pornographic video involving two men and a woman. Arrangements were made for Dalton to meet both decoys, which led to his arrest five days later when he was approached at a pub. His mobile phone was seized, and he was interviewed by police, during which he gave “no comment” responses.

Dalton, who had no previous criminal record, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete the Horizon programme for sex offenders and a 12-month alcohol treatment course. Additionally, he was mandated to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses and the community’s efforts to prevent future harm.