GARRET KELLY AND SHOCKING GROOMING PLOT IN LONDON
A worker employed at the London Underground was caught in a sting operation conducted by paedophile hunters as he attempted to groom a 13-year-old girl for sexual activity, a court has heard.The individual, Garret Kelly, aged 62, engaged in extensive online communication with the girl, named Saskia, exchanging hundreds of messages via Facebook and WhatsApp over a period of six weeks.
The conversations culminated in Kelly arranging to meet her at Paddington Station.
In preparation for the meeting, Kelly reportedly cleaned his house and encouraged the girl to start taking the contraceptive pill, promising to “make you a woman, sexually.” His actions and words indicated a disturbing intent to exploit the young girl, with Kelly also making inappropriate references to her clothing, bathing habits, and sexual education.
He positioned himself as a confidante and instructor, gradually escalating his discussions to include the idea of “deflowering” her.
The court was told that Kelly’s online interactions with Saskia began in October of the previous year.
During these exchanges, he provided his mobile number, and their conversations shifted to WhatsApp, where he continued to probe into her personal life, including her school, mother, and homework.
Prosecutor Carol Summers described how Kelly’s language became increasingly sexualized, with him asking about her sex education lessons and suggesting she wear stockings and a suspender belt for their meeting.
When Saskia expressed uncertainty about her feelings, Kelly responded reassuringly, implying she was open to the idea of sexual activity and encouraging her to see a doctor for contraception.
Kelly’s intentions became clearer as he discussed their upcoming meeting, which he traveled from his residence in Tooting to attend on December 2.
He was met at Paddington Station by a paedophile hunter, who had created a fake online profile using a digitally de-aged photo of Saskia’s face.
The hunter’s evidence, captured on camera, was handed over to police, leading to Kelly’s arrest.
During police body-worn camera footage, Kelly appeared visibly upset and angry, lamenting that “they have tried and sentenced me,” and suggesting that he had been misled by the assumption that Saskia’s mother was away.
Kelly, a father of two with over 20 years of experience working for the London Underground, has since lost his job following his arrest in December of the previous year.
His legal representative, Lee Sergent, pleaded with the court to consider a non-custodial sentence, emphasizing Kelly’s remorse and the damage already inflicted upon his personal life.
Sergent highlighted that Kelly’s relationships with his two daughters were currently strained and that he was on the verge of giving up.
On Wednesday at Southwark Crown Court, Judge Martin Griffith sentenced Kelly to 21 months in prison but suspended the sentence for two years.
Kelly was also ordered to complete 125 hours of community service and undergo 45 days of rehabilitation.
Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender and subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
Kelly pleaded guilty to charges of attempted sexual communication with a child and attempted grooming, acknowledging his misconduct in this case.
