CHICHESTER SEX OFFENDER DAVID LACEY JAILED FOR GROOMING TEEN GIRLS IN CYBERSEX SCHEME

In a significant crackdown on online child exploitation, David Lacey, a 43-year-old resident of Chichester, has been sentenced to four years in prison for his involvement in grooming young girls through social media platforms. The case, which unfolded over a two-year investigation conducted by Sussex Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team, highlights the ongoing efforts to combat cyber-based sexual offenses against minors.

According to authorities, Lacey had assumed the false identity of a 19-year-old college engineering student in order to establish contact with teenage girls. His online interactions were aimed at persuading these impressionable minors to engage in cybersex activities. These illicit communications took place from his residence on Selsey Road, Chichester, where he shared a home with his father. The police action was initiated after an unannounced visit, during which officers checked his compliance with a stringent 10-year sex offences order previously imposed on him. This order was a consequence of his earlier conviction for downloading obscene images of children, which occurred six years prior.

During the police visit, officers discovered a disturbing collection of indecent images depicting several teenage girls from various parts of Britain. It became evident that Lacey had not only possessed these images but had also actively incited the girls to send him such material. Sussex Police confirmed that the evidence pointed to his deliberate efforts to exploit vulnerable minors online.

In court, Lacey pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including ten counts of making indecent images of children, all involving girls under the age of 16. He also admitted to two counts of causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, as well as two counts of causing or inciting a child of similar age to view sexual images. His criminal record was further compounded by admitting to possessing ammunition for a shotgun, despite being banned from owning firearms for five years, and possessing an air rifle under the same restrictions.

The sentencing took place at Chichester Crown Court, where Judge John Smith emphasized the severity of Lacey’s actions. The court imposed a four-year prison term, and as part of the sentence, Lacey was ordered to be subject to a lifelong Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). Additionally, he will be registered on the Sexual Offenders’ Register for life. Upon release, he will be subject to five years of supervised licence conditions, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Detective Constable Helen Cook, who was involved in the investigation, issued a stark warning about the dangers posed by online predators like Lacey. She stated, “Lacey, already a convicted sex offender, had clearly and deliberately set out to entice vulnerable and impressionable young girls into his web of online sex. Had it not been for our vigilance, he might still be out there now. This case sends two messages. First, our supervision of registered sex offenders can detect any such activity. Second, parents and guardians need to work with their children, especially impressionable teenagers, to guard against unrestrained internet access which can lead to them falling into the cyber clutches of men like Lacey.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Lacey was ordered to adhere to a lifelong Sexual Offences Prevention Order and will remain on the Sexual Offenders’ Register for the rest of his life. His release from incarceration will be contingent upon strict licence supervision for an additional five years, underscoring the ongoing efforts to prevent further offenses and protect the community from potential harm.