DAMIAN WEBB FROM THAME SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES IN OXFORD

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Thame, Damien Webb, aged 37, was brought before Oxford Crown Court to face serious allegations related to online child exploitation. The court heard that Webb engaged in disturbing conversations with a decoy account, which was set up by a volunteer from the vigilante group ‘Justice for Kids’ on the dating app Wink.

Webb, who resides in Swan Gardens, Thame, initiated contact with the decoy, who was posing as a 13-year-old girl named ‘Amber’. Despite Webb’s own admission that he was ‘too old’ for her, he continued to communicate, engaging in sexually explicit discussions. The court was informed that Webb later suggested exchanging contact details via WhatsApp, and he took measures to ensure that the messages remained unseen by her parents, indicating an awareness of the illicit nature of his actions.

Throughout the conversations, Webb repeatedly asked if ‘Amber’ was his girlfriend and inquired whether she had engaged in sexual activity. The conversation escalated when Webb sent a graphic image of his genitals and requested a similar image from her. This conduct was part of a series of offences for which Webb was charged, including attempting to cause a child to view sexual images, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to communicate sexually with a minor.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Meera Yagnik explained that the decoy account was created as part of a sting operation. Webb’s actions were described as deeply concerning, given the context of online grooming and exploitation. The court was told that Webb’s behaviour was deliberate, and he had checked that his messages were deleted and that the girl’s parents did not check her phone, indicating a calculated attempt to conceal his activities.

In his defence, Webb’s barrister, George Joseph, argued that his client’s offending was influenced by his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction. He highlighted Webb’s efforts to turn his life around, including working with Turning Point, a drug and alcohol treatment service, and noted that Webb had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Mr. Joseph also mentioned that Webb helps care for his mother, emphasizing his otherwise responsible character.

Judge Hassan Khan, presiding over the case, acknowledged Webb’s guilty plea but pointed out that Webb denied having a sexual interest in children, which the judge suggested was likely due to feelings of shame and guilt. The judge sentenced Webb to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 26 days of accredited programmes aimed at preventing future offending. Additionally, Webb was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the need for ongoing supervision to protect the community of Thame and beyond.