‘DETERMINED’ SEX OFFENDER SNARED BY EXETER PAEDOPHILE HUNTER GROUP
A convicted child sex offender engaged in grooming behavior and arranged to meet an individual he believed was a 14-year-old, despite being subject to court orders related to similar crimes.Eddie Howard, 26, from Exeter, was identified earlier this year by a paedophile hunter organization, which subsequently alerted the police.
Officers then responded to make the arrest.
Howard appeared before Exeter Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, May 13, after admitting to charges including attempting to communicate sexually with a child, causing a 13-15-year-old to watch a sexual act, and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
The court was told that between December 9, 2025, and January 6, 2026, Howard communicated online with someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy, using a friendship app and WhatsApp.
In reality, he was conversing with members of a known paedophile hunter group.
During these exchanges, Howard turned the conversation sexual and sent several inappropriate messages, including a video believed to feature Howard engaging in a sex act.
On January 7, group members arranged to meet Howard.
They located him near Exeter Quay, after which police were summoned, arrested him, and took him into custody.
Howard has prior convictions for similar offenses and was under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a suspended sentence at the time of his latest misconduct.
During questioning, Howard admitted to violating his reporting obligations under the Sex Offenders’ Register but declined to comment further.
He received a sentence of four years and two months in prison.
Detetive Constable Saduni Loku Heeraluge stated: “Eddie Howard is a persistent and dangerous sex offender whose past convictions have not stopped his behavior.
He traveled to Exeter Quay believing he was going to meet a child, which, although not a real child in this case, shows he remains a threat to young people.
Once we were informed by the group, our officers swiftly responded, arrested Howard, and we are glad he has been swiftly brought to justice.”
