GARY PARKER FROM CREDITON SENTENCED AFTER TRYING TO MEET 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL AT EXETER TRAIN STATION

In a disturbing case that underscores the growing dangers of online grooming and the serious consequences of such actions, Gary Parker, a 43-year-old resident of Crediton, was sentenced to prison after attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl at Exeter’s St David’s Station. The incident was brought to light when a vigilante group, known as UK Database, intervened and filmed what they described as a citizen’s arrest, capturing Parker’s intentions and subsequent actions.

According to reports, Parker believed he was communicating with a young girl named Sammy, who he thought was 13 years old. However, the group revealed that the girl was a fictitious online persona created to catch offenders. The confrontation took place at Exeter’s St David’s Station, where Parker was confronted by the group after he arranged to meet the girl for sexual activity.

Upon being confronted, Parker immediately admitted to his intentions and actions. During court proceedings, he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempting to meet a girl under 16 for sexual purposes, engaging in sexual communication with a child via Facebook Messenger, and attempting to facilitate or arrange a sexual offence involving a minor.

The court sentenced Parker to a total of 15 months in prison. Specifically, he received 15 months for attempting to meet the girl, with concurrent sentences of 6 months each for the other two charges. The judge, Graham Cottle, emphasized the seriousness of the offences, noting that they stemmed from a short series of events involving the fictitious girl named Sammy.

Judge Cottle expressed concern over the increasing number of similar cases and highlighted the importance of strict sentencing to deter such behaviour. He stated, “The prevalence of, and increase in, this type of offending is of great concern and sentencing must reflect the extent of that concern. The message has to be sent out and received that men like you, with or without previous convictions, who may engage in this sort of activity are committing a serious offence, which unless there are wholly exceptional circumstances, they will receive an immediate custodial sentence.”

The court was informed that Parker had engaged in sexualised conversations with the fictitious girl shortly after befriending her online. The UK Database group shared details of these conversations and documented Parker’s arrest on their Facebook page, making the incident publicly known.

Despite knowing that the girl was only 13 from the outset, Parker persisted in his plans to meet her in Exeter for sexual activity. The court heard that within minutes of establishing contact, he had initiated sexualised chat, demonstrating clear intent.

Following his release from prison, Parker will be subject to supervision and licensing conditions. He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order valid for ten years and is required to register as a sex offender.

In response to the case, an NSPCC spokesperson for South West England commented, “Parker’s shocking behaviour highlights the dangers posed to youngsters by offenders online. He fully believed he was speaking to a 13-year-old girl via social media, but continued to groom her before attempting to meet her.”