DAVID DUNN CAUGHT IN HARTLEPOOL BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS FOR SEXUAL CHAT WITH FAKE TEENS
In September 2023, a disturbing case unfolded in Hartlepool involving David Dunn, a 74-year-old grandfather who was caught engaging in inappropriate online communications with what he believed were underage girls.Dunn was targeted by a vigilant paedophile hunting group that had set up fictitious Facebook profiles posing as 13-year-old girls named Sophie and Charlotte.
The group’s operation aimed to expose individuals attempting to initiate sexual conversations with minors, and Dunn became one of their subjects.
According to court proceedings, Dunn initially interacted with the fake profiles from October to December 2022.
The conversations with 'Sophie' were described as initially polite and friendly, but they quickly took a disturbing turn when Dunn requested to switch the chat to WhatsApp, a messaging platform often used for more private exchanges.
On November 2, during the exchange, 'Sophie' inquired about Dunn’s pets, to which he responded with a suggestive remark, saying, “only you.” He then asked her for a photograph, and a decoy profile sent him a picture.
Dunn’s responses became increasingly inappropriate as he called her “beautiful” and responded to her images with comments like “wow yummy, love it anymore?
Xx.” He also called her “sexy” and sent a shirtless selfie of himself.
As the conversations progressed, the court heard that Dunn claimed to be naked and aroused, blaming the fictitious girl for making him “horny.” His messages grew more explicit, with him expressing a desire to meet her in person, saying he would “pop round” if she was nearby to “hug her tightly.” He further expressed a wish to kiss her and touch her body, indicating a clear sexual intent.
In addition to his interactions with 'Sophie,' Dunn also contacted another fake profile named 'Charlotte' during November and December 2022.
After the group accepted his friend request on Facebook, the conversations moved to WhatsApp, where they became overtly sexual.
Dunn explicitly asked 'Charlotte' to send him nude pictures, describing his own arousal and making suggestive comments about her being sexy.
He even asked her to wear her horse riding gear and take a photograph of herself.
Dunn’s messages revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior, including statements about wanting to physically be near her, saying he would “pop round” to hug her tightly, and expressing a desire to kiss and touch her.
In May, Dunn appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child under 16.
During a subsequent interview with a probation officer, Dunn claimed that his actions were not sexually motivated.
However, the court rejected this assertion, with Judge Jonathan Carroll stating, “I reject you were not sexually motivated; you were.
It may shame, embarrass you and you may find it difficult to articulate, but there can be no other motivation for what you said.” As a result of his guilty plea, Dunn was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.
The court also ordered him to complete 35 days of rehabilitation and perform 120 hours of unpaid work.
Additionally, Dunn will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for ten years, aimed at preventing any future offenses of a similar nature.
Dunn, who resides at Marina View in Hartlepool, has no prior criminal record, but his actions have brought serious legal consequences and highlighted the ongoing dangers posed by online predators.
