GARY CHITICKS CAUGHT IN CHRISTCHURCH ONLINE PREDATOR SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Christchurch community, Gary Chitticks, a 36-year-old man, was found guilty of engaging in online communications with individuals he believed to be underage girls, with the intent of inciting sexual activity. The case came to light after paedophile hunter groups successfully exposed his actions, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

Chitticks initially believed he was communicating with a young girl named 'Ruby,' who he thought was just 10 years old. However, it was later confirmed that 'Ruby' was a decoy operated by members of a paedophile hunter organization. During the investigation, it was also revealed that he had attempted to contact another decoy, 'Lauren,' who was under 16, with the clear aim of encouraging her to engage in sexual conversations.

The court proceedings took place at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, January 22. Prosecutor Tim Akers detailed that on November 26, 2020, Chitticks exchanged messages with 'Lauren' in an online chat room. During these exchanges, he inquired about her age, to which she responded that she was 12. The messages quickly turned sexual, with Chitticks making explicit references and asking questions about her use of chat rooms. 'Lauren' explained that she used the platform to make friends, to which Chitticks responded that he also used chat rooms for similar reasons, adding, 'maybe a little bit of naughty fun TBH [to be honest].'

Further, the court heard that Chitticks, who was employed as a roofer before the COVID-19 pandemic, began messaging 'Ruby' on December 8, 2020. Over the course of five days, their conversations grew increasingly inappropriate. Prosecutors revealed that he asked for pictures of her genitalia and told her she need not worry about her mother. He also implied that he would be the one to get into trouble if her mother found out, saying, 'you are a good girl for not telling (your mum).' One of his final messages in the chat was a seemingly affectionate 'love you xx.'

Throughout these interactions, Chitticks was in contact with members of the online predator hunting group 'Keeping Innocent Dreams Safe,' who had infiltrated the chat rooms and gathered evidence. The information was then passed to another group, 'No excuses,' which identified his residence on Dudmoor Farm Road, Christchurch. On December 19, 2020, the group confronted Chitticks about his online activities. He admitted to speaking with young girls online, leading to his arrest by police officers who responded promptly to the information provided.

During the court hearing, defense lawyer Leah Dillon emphasized that Chitticks had made full and frank admissions during his police interview the day after his arrest. She described his actions in late November and December as an 'aberration' and highlighted his genuine remorse. Dillon stated, 'Throughout the pre-sentence report it is clear that Mr. Chitticks expresses sincere remorse for his actions.' She further explained that her client was unable to fully understand why he behaved as he did, describing him as 'appalled by his own behavior – ashamed, embarrassed and shocked.'

Judge Jonathan Fuller QC addressed Chitticks directly, asserting that he was in 'denial' regarding his sexual interests in children. The judge emphasized that the nature of the messages indicated a clear awareness of what he was doing. 'The contact was sexualized and you knew the potential victim was young and vulnerable,' Fuller said. He pointed out that Chitticks had deliberately sought out a specific age group and was interested in children, yet remained in denial about his actions.

In terms of sentencing, the court noted that the offense of inciting a girl under 13 typically carries a starting point of eight years in custody. However, due to Chitticks' guilty plea and the fact that his actions constituted an attempted crime, his sentence was reduced to four years imprisonment. Additionally, he received a concurrent sentence of eight months for another sexual offense. The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and mandated that Chitticks be registered on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. As part of his punishment, he was also sentenced to a seven-day prison term for possessing herbal cannabis, which he admitted during an earlier hearing.