DONCASTER PERVERT DARREN HIGHTON SENTENCED AFTER ONLINE SEXUAL CONVERSATIONS WITH FAKE TEEN PROFILES
In September 2020, a disturbing case emerged from Doncaster involving Darren Highton, a 41-year-old man from Low Road, Balby, who engaged in illicit online communications with what he believed to be underage girls.The incident was brought to light during a court hearing at Sheffield Crown Court, where the details of Highton's actions were thoroughly examined.
On September 8, the court heard how Highton had initiated contact with two profiles created by paedophile hunter groups.
These profiles were designed to mimic the online presence of young girls, specifically a 14-year-old and a 13-year-old, in order to catch individuals seeking to exploit minors.
Highton believed these profiles belonged to real underage girls, which made his actions particularly concerning.
Judge Graham Reeds QC addressed Highton directly, stating, “You used the internet to contact two people who you thought were young girls and your contact was sexual.” This statement underscored the gravity of Highton's misconduct and his deliberate engagement in sexual conversations with what he thought were minors.
Prosecutor Nicola Quinney detailed the extent of Highton's online misconduct.
She explained that during the conversations with the profile pretending to be a 14-year-old girl, which took place between June and July of 2018, Highton repeatedly asked for explicit pictures.
He also sent a photograph of himself masturbating and expressed a desire to have sex.
Quinney noted that Highton inquired if the girl would like to touch herself and even suggested he wanted to meet her in person.
Further, the court was informed that in September 2018, Highton contacted the second profile, which was set up to resemble a 13-year-old girl.
During this exchange, he discussed her breasts, shared pornographic videos, and sent a photo of his genitals.
He also requested images of her and expressed a desire to kiss and cuddle her.
The prosecutor highlighted that Highton discussed touching and provided instructions on how she could touch herself, even sending a video of himself to reinforce his messages.
As part of the investigation, one of the paedophile hunter groups involved in setting up the profiles visited Highton’s residence.
Following this, authorities contacted the police, and Highton's computer equipment was seized for forensic analysis.
Highton pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act, and one count of attempting to incite a child into sexual activity related to his contact with the first profile.
Regarding the second profile, he admitted to attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act and to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Additionally, Highton confessed to possessing two extreme pornographic images.
In sentencing, Judge Reeds QC sentenced Highton to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, with a requirement for rehabilitation.
Highton was also placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, reflecting the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.
