GARY CHIVERS AND SHOCKING CHILD GROOMING IN HOLSWORTHY

A man with a disturbing history of pedophilic behavior, Gary Chivers from Dawlish, has once again found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation involving illegal online communications with minors. The 71-year-old, who resides in Dawlish, engaged in a manipulative scheme where he secretly posed as a teenage boy to contact young girls on various chat platforms, including OK Live.

Chivers's criminal activities became evident when he attempted to manipulate what he believed were girls aged as young as 10 into sending him explicit images. Under the false persona of a 15-year-old boy, he tried to persuade them to share sexually explicit photos. His actions were part of a broader pattern of predatory behavior that included sending graphic images of his own genitals and making sexually explicit suggestions about masturbation.

What makes this case even more alarming is that the individuals Chivers was communicating with turned out to be members of a paedophile hunter organization. These vigilant groups often monitor online activities to catch predatory offenders, and in this instance, they ultimately traced him back to his address. The authorities responded swiftly, arriving at his residence and apprehending him, which led to his arrest on August 18.

During the police investigation, officers discovered substantial evidence of his misconduct stored across multiple digital devices. The authorities confirmed that Chivers had made contact with five different profiles of young girls on the chat platform. Each encounter quickly devolved into sexual conversations, with Chivers repeatedly requesting videos, pressing for more explicit material, and attempting to establish voice contact by calling the 'girls.'

Chivers’s deception extended to claiming he was a teenager or in his twenties to gain trust from his targets. The disturbing inquiry culminated when he responded to a request from one of the profiles for his photo and home address, at which point law enforcement was able to act. His criminal record includes a prior conviction in Reading in 2015 for inciting children to sexual activity and distributing indecent images of minors. Due to this, he was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), aimed at monitoring and restricting his online activity.

At Exeter Crown Court, Judge David Evans addressed the case with gravity, describing Chivers as a significant danger to children. The judge emphasized the seriousness of his actions, which demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory behavior. As a result, Chivers was sentenced to a term of five and a half years in prison, with an additional 18 months on extended licence, ensuring continued supervision after his release.

Legal representatives highlighted that Chivers was leading an isolated and somewhat reclusive life at the time of his offenses. His defense solicitor, Mr. Dan Pawson-Pounds, noted this aspect during proceedings. The judge also indicated that the parole board would assess his suitability for release, considering his history and the extended nature of his sentence. The court's decision underscores the ongoing concern for community safety and the importance of strict monitoring for individuals like Chivers, who have demonstrated a persistent and dangerous pattern of sexual misconduct involving minors.