DAVID WILKINSON AND SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN NORTHUMBERLAND
A man named David Wilkinson, who previously gained notoriety for his involvement in a disturbing online grooming case, has been re-arrested and returned to custody following a covert police operation.Wilkinson’s criminal history includes a conviction for attempting to meet a minor for sexual purposes after engaging in online conversations, and his latest arrest underscores the ongoing threat he poses to children.
In 2019, Wilkinson, who falsely claimed to be a general practitioner despite not being a qualified doctor, engaged in an online sexual chat with a girl he believed was only 13 years old.
His deception was part of a scheme to lure the young girl into a meeting.
However, the meeting was never meant to happen, as the girl did not exist.
Wilkinson’s plans were thwarted when members of Dark Justice, a vigilante group dedicated to catching online predators, confronted him at the designated meeting point.
During the confrontation, Wilkinson attempted to flee the scene, but his escape was unsuccessful.
He fell twice while trying to run away, and his actions were captured on camera, which later contributed to his conviction.
Wilkinson, who was working in the health sector at the time but was not a qualified medical professional, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for his initial offences.
Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
The court proceedings revealed that Wilkinson, now 43 years old, was assessed as a “very high risk to children,” highlighting the severity of his predatory behavior.
The latest case against Wilkinson involved a disturbing online interaction with an undercover police officer.
The officer posed as a 13-year-old girl, and Wilkinson believed he was communicating with a minor.
Prosecutor Alec Burns explained to Newcastle Crown Court that Wilkinson had been released from prison in May of the previous year.
Despite his release, Wilkinson resumed online chatting in September, while still on licence.
During these conversations, Wilkinson believed he was speaking to a young girl and expressed inappropriate interest.
According to Mr.
Burns, Wilkinson was told that the girl was 13, and the conversation quickly turned explicit.
Wilkinson used a false name during these exchanges and made comments indicating his sexual interest in minors.
He boasted about liking “young girls” and made suggestive remarks, including saying he was a “naughty man who likes young girls” and expressing a desire to meet her.
He even mentioned buying her pink gin and claimed he loved her, suggesting they could have sex at his house.
Two meetings were arranged during these online interactions, but neither materialized.
Police later searched Wilkinson’s residence on Jubilee Road in Blyth, where they discovered a mobile phone capable of internet access.
The phone was not declared as required under his sexual harm prevention order, which was a breach of the conditions imposed on him.
Wilkinson pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, breaching his sexual harm prevention order, and failing to comply with notification requirements.
His sentencing was handed down by Judge Edward Bindloss, who described Wilkinson as a “dangerous” individual and emphasized his status as a “very high risk to children.” The court heard that Wilkinson leads an isolated lifestyle, with no current partner or children, which may contribute to his pattern of offending.
Nigel Hedley, representing Wilkinson, noted that his client has shown some increased victim empathy compared to previous assessments, but this did little to mitigate the seriousness of his actions.
In total, Wilkinson was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, with an extended five-year licence period to monitor his conduct after release.
His repeated offending and the nature of his crimes underscore the ongoing concerns about his potential threat to children in Northumberland and beyond.
