DANIEL PYLE FROM LISKEARD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AT CORNISH TRAIN STATION

In April 2020, Daniel Pyle, a 23-year-old man from Liskeard, faced serious criminal charges after attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl for sexual activity at a train station in Cornwall. The case came to light when online paedophile hunters confronted Pyle at the station, preventing him from carrying out his intended meeting.

Prior to this incident, Pyle had been involved in a pattern of disturbing online communications that began in October 2017. Over several weeks, he exchanged numerous messages with what he believed was a young girl, but in reality, he was communicating with online vigilantes posing as minors. During these exchanges, Pyle sent explicit images of himself, including photographs of his genitals, and engaged in sexually charged conversations. Despite the girl repeatedly stating her age was only 13, Pyle persisted, asking if she wanted him to be her boyfriend and suggesting that secrecy was necessary to avoid getting into trouble.

The messages grew increasingly lewd, with Pyle making suggestive comments about sex and even sending a picture of his genitals, asking if she would 'suck it like a lollipop.' He reassured her that although initial pain might be involved, it would eventually feel pleasurable. His intentions appeared clear as he debated booking a hotel room at the Travelodge or taking her to his home in Liskeard. Ultimately, he arranged to meet her at the train station, where he waited for her and texted her questions about her clothing, specifically whether she was wearing knickers.

While waiting at the platform, Pyle was unexpectedly confronted by members of an online group who detained him until police arrived. During the subsequent search of his phone, officers discovered a small collection of indecent images of children and various searches related to child sex abuse. These findings further implicated him in ongoing criminal behavior.

At Truro Crown Court, Judge Simon Carr delivered the sentence, highlighting Pyle’s prior convictions for similar offenses, which had previously resulted in non-custodial sentences. The judge emphasized the gravity of Pyle’s actions, stating, “You contacted a child who made it clear repeatedly that she was 13, but actually she was an adult masquerading as a child. You didn’t know and your communication was sexualised from the beginning, repeatedly sending pictures of your penis. You tried to support her indicating that she would enjoy sex and arranged to meet her only to be met by adults.”

Judge Carr also pointed out the significant risk Pyle posed to children, noting his long history of sexual interest in minors dating back to at least 2012. As a result, Pyle was sentenced to an extended term of eight years, comprising four years in custody and four years on licence. Additionally, he was placed under a 10-year sexual harm prevention order to restrict his future activities.

Earlier in his criminal history, Pyle, then 19, had been convicted of similar offenses. He had previously been sentenced to a conditional discharge after being caught communicating with children and inciting them to engage in sexual acts. Despite this, he continued his offending behavior, breaching a sexual harm prevention order by contacting minors again. His earlier crimes involved soliciting explicit images and arranging meetings for sexual activities, which led to his current, more severe sentencing.

Judge Carr expressed disappointment that Pyle’s earlier case had not resulted in a custodial sentence, criticizing the decision of the magistrates. He underscored that Pyle’s ongoing behavior demonstrated a high risk to children and that he needed to address underlying issues. Pyle was ultimately sentenced to 21 months in a young offenders’ institute, suspended for two years, with the requirement to attend the Thames Valley Sex Offenders Programme and adhere to a revised sexual harm prevention order.