CSABA TOKES ILKESTON MAN CAUGHT GROOMING UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICER IN DERBYSHIRE

In a disturbing case that unfolded in Derbyshire, Csaba Tokes, a 35-year-old man from Ilkeston, found himself at the center of a serious grooming investigation. The incident came to light after Tokes engaged in online conversations with what he believed was a 14-year-old girl, only to discover that the individual was actually an undercover police officer posing as a minor.

According to court proceedings at Derby Crown Court, Tokes initiated contact with the decoy, who was operating under the alias “Ava.” Their communication began on the messaging platform Kik in November of the previous year, and later transitioned to WhatsApp. During these exchanges, Tokes was told that “Ava” was a 14-year-old girl from Nottingham. In response, Tokes claimed he was 35 years old and resided in Ilkeston.

Initially, their conversations did not contain any sexual content. Instead, they discussed common interests such as video games, which is often a typical way for predators to establish rapport with potential victims. However, the tone of their exchanges shifted as the conversations progressed. On November 28, after a three-day period of silence, “Ava” sent a message asking, “I thought you liked me?” to which Tokes responded that he did like her but emphasized her young age. He inquired about her past relationships, revealing that she had had two boyfriends.

As their dialogue continued, Tokes asked personal questions about her sexual experiences, including whether she was a virgin. The discussions eventually moved offline, with plans being made for a face-to-face meeting. Tokes and “Ava” discussed the possibility of going to see a film, taking a walk, or visiting a McDonald's together, indicating an intent to meet in person.

Authorities acted swiftly once Tokes’s intentions became clear. In January of this year, he was arrested at his workplace in Ilkeston. He subsequently pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child between November 7 and December 3, 2022.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Robert Egbuna emphasized the sophistication of Tokes’s grooming behavior. The judge noted that the decoy made it clear she was only 14, and the communication demonstrated a concerning level of manipulation. Tokes’s questions about getting naked and snuggling, along with his inquiries into her sexual history, underscored the predatory nature of his actions.

Judge Egbuna also highlighted that Tokes showed some reticence when the decoy’s messages went unanswered on several occasions. Despite this, the judge rejected the notion that a breakup with an adult partner could explain such behavior, instead citing the pre-sentence report which classified Tokes as being at high risk of further communication with young children.

As part of his sentence, Tokes was handed a two-year community order. The court mandated that he attend a 43-day sex offender treatment program and complete 55 rehabilitation sessions. Additionally, he was ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work, placed on the sex offender register for five years, and issued a five-year sexual harm prevention order to restrict his future conduct.