GARY PALMER'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN SALISBURY: PREDATOR CAUGHT IN INTERNET SEX CHAT SCHEME

In April 2018, a disturbing case involving Gary Palmer, a known offender from Salisbury, came to light when he was apprehended for attempting to engage in illegal sexual activities with what he believed was a 14-year-old girl over the internet. Palmer, aged 37 at the time, had initiated contact through online chat rooms, where he sent a repulsive image of himself and tried to persuade the supposed minor to perform a sexual act on herself for his gratification.

Unbeknownst to Palmer, the individual he was communicating with was actually a police officer operating undercover under the alias of a teenage girl. This officer, using the name Phoebe, was actively patrolling internet chat rooms to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to exploit minors. During their conversation in February of that year, Palmer's exchanges quickly turned highly sexualized, with the officer explicitly stating multiple times that she was a 14-year-old girl, as confirmed by prosecutor Colin Meeke during the proceedings at Swindon Crown Court.

Despite the officer’s repeated clarifications, Palmer persisted in his explicit and obscene dialogue, attempting to persuade the officer to carry out sexual acts on herself. He also sent disturbing images, including those depicting bestiality, which further demonstrated his intent and depravity. The police were able to trace Palmer’s digital footprint through the images and chat logs, leading to a search of his computer. Authorities then executed a warrant at his residence, where they seized two mobile phones. One of these devices contained evidence of the contact with the undercover officer, and Palmer, when questioned, admitted to the allegations against him.

At the time of his arrest, Palmer was residing at Sparrow Street, Trowbridge, having previously lived on Hazel Close in Salisbury. His criminal record includes a previous conviction from 2009, when he was sentenced to five years in prison for similar offenses. During that earlier conviction, Palmer was found to have contacted girls under the age of 13 online, persuading them to undress and perform sexual acts on themselves while he watched via webcam. He also possessed over 800 indecent images of children, including photographs and videos of varying degrees of severity, from levels one to five, with level five being the most serious.

Palmer was released from prison in 2011 but breached his license conditions, which resulted in his re-incarceration until his release in 2015. His latest offense led to a court hearing where he pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual offences prevention order, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, and possessing extreme pornography. His defense, represented by Nicola Talbot-Hadley, expressed remorse and acknowledged that Palmer was aware he needed help for his issues. The defense also highlighted that Palmer had lost his job and accommodation due to this lapse in judgment.

Judge Jason Taylor QC sentenced Palmer to 18 months in prison, with an additional three-year extended license period. The judge emphasized the high risk Palmer posed for future offenses, citing his own admission of attraction to girls over the age of 11 and the fact that the undercover police girl could have been a real 14-year-old girl. The sentence means Palmer will serve approximately two-thirds of his custodial term before being eligible for parole or release, with the extended license ensuring ongoing supervision after his release.

In a broader context, Palmer’s criminal history is extensive. In August 2009, he was jailed for five years after grooming young girls online and persuading them to perform sex acts on webcam. During that case, he was also found in possession of 513 child pornography images and 355 videos, ranging from less severe to the most serious categories. His offenses led to a lifetime registration as a sex offender, a 10-year sexual offences prevention order, and a ban on contact with anyone under 18 without supervision. Palmer’s repeated offenses underscore the ongoing threat he poses to the community, particularly in Salisbury and surrounding areas.