DAVID WELSH CAUGHT GROOMING BOY IN BISHOP AUCKLAND AND SOUTH SHIELDS

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online grooming, David Welsh, a 55-year-old man from Leeholme, Bishop Auckland, has been sentenced to five years in prison after attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor and arranging to meet a young boy. The incident unfolded in July 2020, when Welsh was targeted by undercover police officers who posed as a 14-year-old on a popular social media app.

During the covert operation, Welsh initiated conversations with what he believed was a teenage boy. As the exchanges progressed, the communication took a sexual turn, with Welsh sending numerous explicit images and videos of himself, despite being repeatedly informed that he was speaking with a minor. The officers monitored the conversation closely, gathering evidence of his inappropriate intentions.

Approximately two weeks into the online interaction, on May 23, Welsh and the supposed minor agreed to meet in South Shields. Law enforcement officers from the North East Regional Specialist Operations Unit (NERSOU) were waiting at the designated location when Welsh arrived. He was promptly arrested by the officers, who acted swiftly to prevent any potential harm.

Following his arrest, Welsh faced multiple charges, including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a boy under the age of 16 following grooming activities. The investigation, conducted by Durham Constabulary’s Digital Investigations Unit, uncovered additional evidence leading to six further child sex offences being brought against him.

Welsh ultimately pleaded guilty to all charges during his court appearance at Durham Crown Court last month. His guilty plea and the severity of his actions resulted in a five-year prison sentence, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from predators.