EDMUND PHIPPS BATH GLOUCESTER EX-ROYAL MAIL EXECUTIVE SENTENCED FOR GROOMING

In March 2018, a man identified as Edmund Phipps, a former senior executive at Royal Mail, was sentenced after being caught attempting to engage in sexual activities with a minor. Phipps, aged 50 and residing on Friary Road in Gloucester, had been involved in a disturbing online grooming scheme targeting a girl believed to be between 13 and 15 years old. The case came to light after a sting operation conducted by a self-styled paedophile hunter known as Danny Catcher.

According to court records, Phipps had exchanged numerous messages with the individual posing as a young girl. During these exchanges, he made explicit comments, including telling her he was “not bothered you are a virgin,” despite being informed that she was only 14 years old. The man also sent a topless photograph of himself to the girl and expressed a desire to meet her in person, stating he could “have you all to myself.”

On Thursday, March 8, 2018, Phipps appeared at Bristol Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity involving sexual penetration. The court heard that he had arranged to meet the girl in New King Street, Bath, on July 12 of the previous year. However, his plans were thwarted when he was confronted by Danny Catcher, who had been monitoring the situation.

Following the confrontation, officers from Avon and Somerset Constabulary arrived at the scene and arrested Phipps on suspicion of grooming. The police confirmed that the arrest took place around 8:40 pm, and Phipps was taken into custody for questioning. The investigation revealed that Phipps was an operations director at Royal Mail, a position that added a layer of concern given his professional background.

In court, Phipps was sentenced to six months in jail, but the sentence was suspended for 18 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offence during that period. As part of his sentence, he was also ordered to undergo rehabilitation. The case highlighted the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilant monitoring by citizen groups and law enforcement alike.

Commenting on the case, Danny Catcher expressed relief that Phipps had pleaded guilty. He stated, “He went to Bath in the summer of 2017 with the intention of meeting a child for sex. When I confronted him, he refused to admit what he had done. I immediately made a citizen’s arrest without using any force, and he sat in the back of his car until police arrived.”

Catcher's remarks underscored the ongoing threat posed by online predators and the critical role of community-led initiatives in protecting minors. He added, “If he can meet a decoy child for sexual activity, he could meet a real child. I sincerely hope this is a wake-up call and that he never goes online to groom or meet a child in the future.”