CRAIG GILBERT CAUGHT IN STING AT ASDA IN STANLEY, COUNTY DURHAM

In March 2019, a disturbing incident unfolded in Stanley, County Durham, involving a man named Craig Gilbert who believed he was engaging in a sexual grooming attempt with a young girl. Unbeknownst to Gilbert, he was actually communicating with members of Justice for Kids, a paedophile hunting organization, who had set up a sting operation to catch individuals attempting to exploit minors.

Gilbert, aged 28, thought he was chatting with a teenager named 'Alana' via WhatsApp. The conversation was part of an elaborate trap designed by the vigilante group to identify and apprehend potential offenders. During the exchange, Gilbert expressed his intentions and continued to communicate with what he believed was a 14-year-old girl.

The situation escalated when Gilbert arranged to meet 'Alana' in the car park of an Asda supermarket located in Stanley. As he arrived at the designated meeting spot, members of the Geordie Chasers, another paedophile hunter group, were waiting for him. They had been alerted to his intentions by Justice for Kids, who had provided crucial information leading to the confrontation.

When Gilbert was confronted on camera, he initially denied any inappropriate communication with the girl. However, the footage captured by the hunters clearly showed him being detained and subsequently handcuffed by police officers. The evidence was compelling and led to his arrest and subsequent charges.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Gilbert’s first question to the girl was, 'what age are you?' After learning she was only 14, the conversation continued, and the chat soon turned sexual in nature. Prosecutor Ian West stated that Gilbert had sent a photo of his genitals to the supposed minor, further evidencing his intent to engage in sexual activity.

Gilbert, a resident of Stanley, County Durham, faced serious charges. He pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity and attempting to meet a child following grooming. The case was heard at Durham Crown Court, where Judge Jonathan Carroll sentenced him to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, Gilbert was ordered to participate in the Horizon sex offender programme, which aims to rehabilitate offenders and prevent future crimes.

Furthermore, Gilbert was subjected to a three-month curfew, requiring him to remain at home between 6 pm and 6 am daily. He was also placed under a sexual harm prevention order, restricting his activities and monitoring his behavior to protect potential victims.

Judge Carroll emphasized the importance of protecting children from predators, stating, 'Though this was not a real child, there are many real children out there and they need protection from this kind of interest in them. You are a real risk of causing harm.' He acknowledged Gilbert’s willingness to engage in such conduct but also highlighted the need for a balanced approach, offering him a chance to reform for the sake of society’s safety. The judge concluded by noting that while Gilbert deserved punishment, society’s interest in reducing the risk he posed warranted giving him an opportunity to put his past behavior behind him.