DAVID LEWIS OF ST AUSTELL JAILED FOR ONLINE GROOMING OF UNDERAGE GIRLS IN DEVON AND CORNWALL

In May 2019, a man from St Austell named David Lewis was brought before the court to face serious allegations related to online sexual offences. Lewis, who had previously served a seven-year prison sentence for the rape of a woman, was found to have engaged in a disturbing pattern of online grooming aimed at underage girls.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Lewis had actively contacted the profiles of several young females he believed to be minors. He sent a series of explicit and sexual messages, clearly indicating his intent to engage these girls in sexual activities. However, it was later uncovered that these girls did not exist in reality. Instead, they were members of paedophile hunting groups known as 'Totnes Justice' and 'No more silent voices UK.'

These vigilant teams had set up online profiles to catch predators, and it was through their efforts that Lewis’s activities came to light. The groups confronted Lewis in St Austell, where they questioned him about his internet activity. During this confrontation, they learned about his prior conviction and his ongoing attempts to groom minors.

Following the confrontation, authorities were contacted, and Lewis was promptly arrested by the police. The court subsequently sentenced him to four years in prison for his offences. In addition to his custodial sentence, Lewis was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that will last for ten years. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from further harm.

This case highlights the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant community groups working alongside law enforcement to prevent such crimes from going undetected.