DAVID SMITH FROM FARNWORTH CAUGHT IN CHILD SEX OFFENCE AFTER PARENT'S TRACKING PHONE REVEALS MEETINGS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Farnworth, David Smith, a man with a troubling past, was apprehended after a series of concerning events involving a vulnerable 12-year-old girl. The incident unfolded in early 2020, when the young girl, described as 'vulnerable' by authorities, was lured to Smith's flat with promises of pizza, cash, and cigarettes. Her mother, worried about her safety, took a proactive step by providing her with a mobile phone equipped with a tracking application, which ultimately played a crucial role in uncovering the truth.

According to court proceedings at Bolton Crown Court, the girl had been visiting Smith's residence in Farnworth. Smith, aged 65, had a prior conviction from four years earlier at Warwick Crown Court, where he was sentenced under his previous name, Dennis Ogden, for possessing indecent images of children. After serving his sentence, he moved to Bolton, but was subject to a sexual offences prevention order that explicitly prohibited him from having any unsupervised contact with minors. Despite these restrictions, Smith's activities raised serious concerns.

In January of that year, police became increasingly suspicious that the girl might have been meeting men without supervision. As part of their investigation, they seized her phone. Her mother, in an effort to ensure her safety, provided her with another phone that had a tracking feature enabled. This device allowed her mother to monitor her daughter's whereabouts when she was outside the home. On February 24, at around 4 pm, the girl left her house claiming she was going to meet a friend. However, when her mother checked the tracking app 90 minutes later, the phone's location was traced to flats on Rawson Avenue in Farnworth.

Further investigation revealed that the girl’s friend, who had been with her that day, later told police that they did not have enough money to buy cigarettes. The friend explained that the girl had said she could obtain cigarettes from a man she knew. Subsequently, the girl entered Smith's flat and returned with cigarettes, confirming her visit. Police examined her original phone and discovered that she had saved Smith’s contact number under the nickname 'Old Man.'

Text message exchanges between the girl and Smith, dated January 28, revealed a disturbing pattern of communication. In these messages, Smith made arrangements for her to visit his home, offering to provide pizza and suggesting he was home alone at the time. The girl responded by asking if he could give her £10 to buy things for her mother, and expressed her willingness to meet him earlier to spend more time together. These exchanges indicated a clear grooming pattern and an attempt to establish contact despite the restrictions placed on Smith.

When questioned by police, Smith initially denied meeting the girl or inviting her to his flat. However, shortly before his trial, he pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of his sexual offences prevention order. It was also revealed that he had previously failed to disclose his change of name by deed poll and had a laptop at his residence that he did not report to authorities, both of which constituted further breaches of court orders.

In sentencing, Bolton’s Honorary Recorder, Judge Martin Walsh, sentenced Smith to 30 months in prison. The judge emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, "You incited this highly vulnerable child into your home. There must have been some sexual element towards the incitement. This was a very serious breach." The case underscores the ongoing risks posed by individuals with prior convictions who continue to breach court orders and engage in predatory behavior towards minors.

In a related case from May 2016, a man from Leamington, Dennis Ogden, aged 61, was sentenced to nine months in prison after admitting to possessing indecent images of children. His crimes came to light after police observed suspicious activity in a local park, leading to the discovery of the images. Ogden was also placed on the sex offender register for ten years and subject to a sexual harm prevention order. This case highlights the importance of vigilant policing and community reporting in safeguarding children from sexual exploitation and abuse.