CRAIG CLAYTON CAUGHT IN LEEDS AND BARNSEY CAR CHASE AFTER ONLINE PREDATOR PLOT
In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online predators and the risks they pose to minors, Craig Clayton, a resident of Barnsley, was apprehended following a dramatic car chase that was live streamed on Facebook.The incident unfolded after Clayton believed he was on his way to meet a 14-year-old girl at Golden Acre Park in Leeds, where he intended to engage in sexual activity with what he thought was a minor.
Clayton had been lured into the trap by members of the Predator Exposure paedophile hunting group, who had set up a decoy Facebook account under the alias 'Becky.' The group’s members engaged Clayton in conversation through Facebook Messenger, with the fake profile claiming to be a 14-year-old girl who had just woken up late for school.
During their exchanges, Clayton asked if she had a boyfriend and lied about his own age, claiming he was 30 when he was actually 41.
Throughout the conversation, Clayton made inappropriate and explicit comments, including requests for nude photographs and suggestions of going to her house.
He also made lewd remarks about her being 'gorgeous' and talked about sexual acts, including oral sex, and expressed interest in taking her for a drive to Yeadon, asking what she planned to wear.
The predator sent a photo of himself and continued to make suggestive comments, including plans to meet at Golden Acre Park that very day.
Members of the paedophile hunting group, aware of Clayton’s intentions, waited in three cars at the designated meeting spot in Bramhope.
When Clayton arrived on March 14, 2018, he believed he was about to meet the girl.
However, the group members quickly moved to block him into the car park.
Clayton attempted to drive away but was followed by the group, who live streamed the pursuit as he sped off towards his home in Headingley.
Police were alerted during the chase, and officers arrested Clayton at his residence in Penistone, Barnsley.
During police interviews, Clayton admitted to all allegations, acknowledging his inappropriate conduct and intentions.
In court, Clayton was sentenced to a two-year prison term, suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work and 30 days of rehabilitation activities.
The court was informed that Clayton had to relocate from his previous address due to harassment from members of the public who gathered outside his home in Barnsley.
Recorder David Gordon, presiding over the case, emphasized the seriousness of Clayton’s actions, stating, “This wasn’t just in the realms of fiction or theory.
You actually turned up for a meeting with what you believed to be a 14-year-old girl, intending to have some kind of sexual contact with her.
There was a long pursuit to the Headingley area which was live streamed on Facebook, a process which the Crown does not approve of, nor does the court.”
