DANIEL SALMON GOSPORT PAEDOPHILE CAUGHT GROOMING YOUNG GIRL ON FACEBOOK

In September 2012, a Gosport man named Daniel Salmon was involved in a disturbing case of online grooming. Salmon, a convicted paedophile, used Facebook to contact and groom a 13-year-old girl, despite knowing she was underage. He arranged to meet her in person, intending to abuse her. However, a quick-witted female police community support officer (PCSO) intervened during their meet-up in a park. Recognizing Salmon—who had a prior conviction for child sex offences—the PCSO approached them, which led to the uncovering of Salmon’s plan to harm the girl.

The Portsmouth Crown Court judge acknowledged the officer’s timely action, stating, “It was lucky she intervened as matters could have got much worse.” Detective Constable Ben Hibberd from the public protection unit praised the PCSO, saying, “It shows that working within the community PCSOs are our eyes and ears on the street. Without that PCSO’s awareness and intervention, he could have been left to continue his offending and a more serious offence could have happened.”

Salmon, of Biddlecombe Close, Gosport, had sent explicit emails to the girl, despite knowing she was only 13. The incident in question occurred in May, when Salmon, 20, intended to commit sexual abuse. After the PCSO’s intervention, Salmon returned home and sent the girl a threatening message, warning her not to involve the police. In his message, he said: “You try anything, I know people, I will find out where you live. Pretend you never met me otherwise you will not like what I’m capable of.”

Salmon pleaded guilty to charges of meeting a child following sexual grooming and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The court also heard that he had previously received a suspended prison sentence in 2010 for inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activities.

His defense solicitor, Daniel Reilly, explained that Salmon had attended a special school and lacked qualifications, saying, “There’s a lack in terms of the capability in judging for himself the consequences of his actions. He understands and accepts that it’s going to be a custodial sentence.”

The judge, Recorder Nicholas Haggan QC, sentenced Salmon to one year and eight months in a young offenders’ institution. In court, he emphasized the severity of Salmon's actions, stating, “It’s perfectly clear that you were grooming this young girl with a view to having sex with her. The messages you sent her were completely explicit. You arranged to meet her and you did meet her. Fortunately, your meeting was seen by a police community support officer who was suspicious.”

The judge also highlighted the psychological report, which assessed Salmon as posing a high risk of harm to young girls. As a result, Salmon was banned from working with children, required to register as a sex offender for ten years, and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order. This order restricts his internet use and prohibits him from contacting anyone under 16 online, aiming to prevent further offending.