GARY ARMSTRONG FROM NEW ROMNEY SENTENCED IN CANNON COURT FOR GROOMING SCHEME INVOLVING PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS IN KENT

In September 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Gary Armstrong, a 39-year-old man from New Romney, who was ultimately sentenced to a lengthy prison term after engaging in a predatory online grooming scheme. The incident came to light when Armstrong believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl, but in reality, he was interacting with members of a paedophile hunting team operating under the guise of a young girl’s profile.

Armstrong, who was known on the internet by the moniker “Romney Guy,” initiated contact with what he thought was a teenage girl’s account. Over a series of messages, he sent sexually explicit and inappropriate communications, clearly indicating his intent to exploit the supposed minor. However, the child’s profile was fabricated, and the entire interaction was a sting set up by adults dedicated to catching online predators.

The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court, where the court was informed that Armstrong’s actions were part of a calculated attempt to groom a minor. The court heard that he believed he was engaging with a vulnerable young girl, but in fact, he was communicating with adults from a paedophile hunting team who had created the fake profile to trap offenders.

In delivering the verdict, Judge James emphasized the seriousness of Armstrong’s actions. He sentenced him to an extended term of seven years in prison. The judge explained that Armstrong had already served time for previous sex offences involving real children, which underscored the ongoing risk he posed to society. The sentence included a five-year custodial period, with an additional two years to be served on licence after his release.

Judge James also expressed concern over Armstrong’s sexual interests, describing them as “warped” and indicating that he believed Armstrong was a danger to the public. The court’s decision reflected the need to protect potential victims from further harm.

Furthermore, Armstrong admitted to using the online group Little Mix as part of his grooming attempts, which demonstrated a calculated effort to exploit the situation. As part of his sentence, he was also subjected to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which restricts his access to the internet and aims to prevent him from reoffending in the future.