CHRISTOPHER TAGGART FROM BROMLEY CAUGHT IN ONLINE GROOMING SCHEME BY SHADOW HUNTERS UK

In January 2019, a man from Bromley, identified as Christopher Taggart, was apprehended and subsequently sentenced after attempting to engage in online grooming activities. The incident was uncovered by the vigilant paedophile hunting team known as 'Shadow Hunters UK,' who specialize in infiltrating online spaces to catch predators attempting to exploit minors.

According to court records, Taggart had initiated contact with an online profile he believed belonged to a young girl. The man’s actions quickly escalated as he sent sexually explicit messages, clearly indicating his intent to groom the individual for sexual purposes. However, the profile he contacted was not that of a child but was instead operated by a member of the 'Shadow Hunters UK' team, who pose as minors to trap predators.

Faced with the evidence, Taggart chose to enter a guilty plea at the last minute, avoiding a full trial. The court sentenced him to 50 months in prison for his offences related to online grooming. In addition to his imprisonment, the judge imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which aims to prevent any future harm or contact of a similar nature.

Furthermore, Taggart was placed on both barring lists, which prohibit him from working with children or vulnerable adults in any capacity. As part of his legal obligations, he was also ordered to register as a sex offender, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect potential victims in the future.