EXETER PAEDOPHILE DALE WOOLNER CAUGHT IN DOUBLE STING BY LOCAL HUNTING GROUPS
In a disturbing series of events that unfolded in Exeter, Dale Woolner, a 43-year-old man from Eton Drive, found himself at the center of a high-profile sting operation orchestrated by local paedophile hunting groups.The incidents, which took place over a span of just ten days, revealed Woolner's repeated attempts to engage with what he believed were underage girls online, only to be ultimately caught and exposed by vigilant community activists.
Initially, Woolner was targeted by two separate paedophile hunting organizations operating in the South West, including the Exeter-based group Totnes Justice, as well as the North West Hebephile Hunting Group and the UK Database activists.
These groups set up decoy profiles in internet chat rooms, posing as underage girls to lure potential offenders.
Woolner engaged in highly sexualized conversations with these decoys, asking about their bra sizes, fantasizing about sexual acts, and requesting explicit photographs.
His behavior was increasingly explicit, with Woolner making clear his intentions to meet the girls in person.
The first encounter was with a decoy named Emily Mae, with whom Woolner made contact in late September.
He arranged to meet her at a station in Exeter on October 12, but failed to show up.
Instead, he was confronted at his home by members of the paedophile hunting groups, leading to his first arrest.
Despite this, Woolner resumed contact with another decoy, Sophie, just two days after his release on October 14.
He continued to communicate with her, arranging a meeting for October 22, and became more cautious, insisting on coordinating via phone and providing detailed descriptions of his appearance, including that he walked with a crutch.
During these conversations, Woolner's predatory intentions became painfully clear.
When the decoy, posing as Sophie, reminded him she was only 14, he responded inappropriately, calling her a “sexy little chick” and asking her to wear a bikini when they met.
He also urged her to keep their contact secret, further highlighting his grooming behavior.
Woolner's actions culminated in a planned meeting in Sidwell Street, Exeter, where he believed he would meet the girl for sexual activity.
However, the meeting was intercepted by the groups involved in the sting, who had been monitoring his communications.
The operation was meticulously coordinated by Totnes Justice, with assistance from the UK Database and the North West Hebephile Hunting Group.
They set up a mobile phone chat with Woolner, during which he described himself and his intentions, enabling the groups to intercept him before he could carry out his plans.
Woolner was filmed attempting to explain his behavior when confronted, and police were called to arrest him.
This time, Woolner was detained and taken into custody.
In court, Woolner admitted to multiple charges, including arranging or facilitating a child sex offence, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.
Judge Peter Johnson at Exeter Crown Court sentenced him to a three-year community order, which includes completing a sex offenders treatment program and ten days of rehabilitation activities.
Woolner was also placed on the sex offenders register for five years and subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that restricts his contact with minors and allows police to monitor his internet activity.
During the sentencing, the judge noted that Woolner's autism was a factor in his case, which influenced the decision not to impose immediate imprisonment.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of Woolner's actions, stating, “You contacted two adult decoys who you thought were 14-year-old girls and indicated in increasingly graphic terms what you wished to do with them sexually when you finally met.
One of the most significant aggravating features of this case is that having been arrested and released under investigation, you went on to do exactly the same thing.” Prosecutor Miss Holly Rust detailed Woolner's contact with the decoys, highlighting that he made arrangements to meet them in Exeter, with the first contact occurring in late September and the second in October.
Woolner's behavior became more cautious after his initial arrest, but he continued to pursue his intentions, including asking the decoy to wear a bikini and requesting secrecy about their contact.
Woolner's case underscores the ongoing efforts of community groups in Exeter and the surrounding areas to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors.
His repeated attempts to meet what he believed were underage girls, despite previous arrests, demonstrate the persistent threat posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant community action to prevent such crimes from occurring.
