A man convicted of sexual offenses has been classified as a threat to children after attempting to solicit a ‘young girl’ for a sex act.
Dwight Manson’s inappropriate conduct drew the attention of paedophile hunters when he initiated online contact with what he believed was a teenage girl.
The 30-year-old engaged in highly sexual dialogue and actively encouraged the decoy to behave sexually, despite being warned about her purported age.
During a court hearing at Teesside Crown Court, it was revealed that Manson was caught in a ‘sting’ operation when he planned to meet the girl in Middlesbrough but was confronted beforehand by online vigilantes.
Prosecutor Cainan Lonsdale explained that Manson used the RandoChat app to reach out to the decoy, despite being under a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) that prevented him from using platforms that do not keep digital records.
The court further heard that Manson, under the alias John and claiming to be 25, tried to persuade her to meet while not wearing underwear and even sent a photo of his genitalia.
Manson, from Wicklow Street, admitted to charges including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity, and violating his SHPO with notification restrictions last November.
Judge Howard Crowson described him as a ‘danger to children’ and sentenced him to seven years and four months of extended detention, highlighting that both his actions and the pre-sentence report indicated a considerable risk to minors.
Defence solicitor Paul Newcombe stated that Manson is currently seeking help and recognizes his mistakes.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
SHPO with notification restrictions last November. Judge Howard Crowson described him as a 'danger to children' and sentenced him to seven years and four months of extended detention, highlighting that both his actions and the pre-senten...
Court order
Prosecutor Cainan Lonsdale explained that Manson used the RandoChat app to reach out to the decoy, despite being under a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) that prevented him from using platforms that do not keep digital records
Court order
Manson, from Wicklow Street, admitted to charges including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity, and violating his SHPO with notification restrictions last November
Prison sentence
seven years and four months
Judge Howard Crowson described him as a 'danger to children' and sentenced him to seven years and four months of extended detention, highlighting that both his actions and the pre-sentence report indicated a considerable risk to minors
