DANIEL SALISBURY CAUGHT IN NEWPORT PAEDOPHILE PLOT NEAR LLISWERRY HIGH SCHOOL
In March 2018, a disturbing incident unfolded in Newport involving a man named Daniel Salisbury, aged 31, who was caught attempting to meet a minor in a highly calculated grooming operation.Salisbury, a resident of Redvers Street in Newport, was targeted by paedophile hunters from the group PH Balance after he engaged in online conversations with what he believed was a 15-year-old girl.
The hunters had set up a fake online profile to lure potential offenders, and Salisbury fell into their trap.
It was reported that Salisbury believed he was communicating with a teenage girl at Lliswerry High School, a well-known educational institution in Newport.
The court heard that Salisbury intended to meet the girl on Christmas Eve, specifically at the school premises, while traveling in his campervan.
Although it was not disclosed where Salisbury had previously taught, the focus of the investigation was on his interactions with the decoy, who was operating under the alias Felicity.
During the court proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court, the prosecution revealed that Salisbury had been in contact with the decoy through a website called Fab Swingers, where initial conversations took place.
As the exchanges progressed, they moved to a messaging platform, where Salisbury openly confirmed his age as 28 and expressed that he was comfortable with the girl being only 15.
The decoy, posing as a minor, had sent Salisbury photographs of herself in school uniform, which he requested and received, with the consent of the person portraying Felicity.
On December 4, Salisbury made explicit references to sexual acts with the girl and discussed plans to meet her on December 24.
The paedophile hunters, monitoring the situation, tracked Salisbury as he approached the designated meeting point.
They observed him near the Aldi store in the Spytty area of Newport, where he was seen purchasing flowers, presumably as a gesture for the intended meeting.
When approached by the hunters, Salisbury attempted to evade them by speeding off in his vehicle.
Following the incident, Recorder Greg Bull, QC, addressed Salisbury in court, condemning his actions.
He stated, “You’ve brought yourself not only into ridicule, but public distaste.” Salisbury was subsequently sentenced to 12 months in prison, though the sentence was suspended for 18 months.
Additionally, he was ordered to complete a 45-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and he will be registered as a sex offender for the next ten years.
A sexual harm prevention order will be in place for five years, restricting Salisbury’s activities further.
He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £140, reflecting the seriousness of his offending.
