CONAN THOMPSON PLYMOUTH SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR ONLINE PREDATION IN PLYMOUTH AND BARNE BARTON
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Plymouth, particularly the Barne Barton area, Conan Thompson has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in a series of online predatory activities targeting underage girls.The court proceedings revealed a pattern of calculated and persistent attempts by Thompson to exploit vulnerable minors through social media platforms, specifically Facebook.
Thompson, who was 24 years old at the time of sentencing and residing in Wantage Gardens, Stonehouse, engaged in a deceitful scheme where he impersonated a woman claiming to run a modelling agency named Laura Fall.
His goal was to persuade young girls aged between 12 and 15 to send him explicit photographs.
To lend credibility to his false identity, Thompson even sent the girls images of naked women, attempting to convince them that he was genuine and that he would pay them for their images, offering a sum of £250.
Despite these manipulative tactics, there was no evidence that any payments were actually made to the girls.
The court heard that Thompson’s online activities came to light after police investigations were initiated in November 2014.
Authorities traced a Facebook page linked to the Laura Fall modelling agency to an email account registered to Conan Thompson.
The page advertised the opportunity for girls to earn £250 by submitting photographs, although no payments were confirmed.
The police were contacted by the families of four girls, aged between 12 and 15, who reported being approached through social media with requests for photographs.
These girls had been sent images of women, some of which appeared to be taken from the internet, with some posing nude or topless, while others sent pictures of themselves in bikinis or with their arms covering their chests.
During police interviews, the victims recounted how Thompson had contacted them through Facebook, asking for explicit images.
One girl had sent a topless photo, while another had shared a picture in a bikini.
The investigation uncovered that Thompson had been actively soliciting these images over a period from August to November 2013.
Thompson’s defense argued that he had been socially isolated at the time, following the death of his parents, and that he was not interested in underage girls.
However, the court was not convinced by this explanation.
In sentencing, Recorder Michael Parroy emphasized the calculated nature of Thompson’s actions, stating, “This was carefully thought-out and persistent.
It went on for some months and involved a number of girls.
It is sometimes suggested that this type of crime is victimless, but clearly some of these girls were upset.
These girls are entitled to and must receive the protection of the court.” Thompson pleaded guilty to four counts of inciting a child to engage in pornography.
As part of his sentence, he was ordered to serve two years in prison and will be required to remain on the Sex Offender Register for the next ten years.
The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are regarded, especially given the vulnerability of the victims involved.
Thompson’s actions have not only led to his incarceration but also serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators operating within communities like Plymouth and its surrounding areas.
