HAMILTON CASEY SENT TO PRISON FOR SEX OFFENSES IN UPPER NORWOOD

In a case that has shocked the community of Upper Norwood, Hamilton Casey, a 70-year-old man, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of serious sexual misconduct involving online grooming and indecent acts. The incident unfolded when Casey believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl through the internet, but in reality, he was engaging with a female police officer posing as a minor.

Casey, who resides on Sylvan Road in Upper Norwood, was brought before Croydon Crown Court on a Friday to face multiple charges. He admitted to five counts of inciting sexual activity, specifically attempting to persuade children into performing sexual acts over the internet. The court heard that Casey had made contact with several minors via various websites, some of whom were as young as 11 years old.

Prosecutor Shahnaz Ahmed detailed the disturbing nature of Casey’s online interactions. She revealed that during one exchange, a girl claimed she was 16 years old, to which Casey responded, “At least you are legal, although it doesn’t matter very much,” indicating a disturbing attitude towards the age of consent and the seriousness of his actions.

The police operation that led to Casey’s arrest involved a female officer who posed as a 13-year-old girl in August 2009. During their online conversations, Casey was invited to view a webcam, where he proceeded to engage in self-pleasuring acts while on camera. This act of public indecency was captured and used as evidence in his trial.

During the sentencing hearing, Casey’s defense lawyer, Heaton Armstrong, acknowledged the gravity of his client’s behavior. He stated, “He appreciates the seriousness of what he was doing. He is determined to get into a frame of mind that it is very unlikely he would behave in this way again. He was living in a sort of fantasy world.”

Despite this mitigation, the court sentenced Casey to four years in prison, reflecting the severity of his offenses and the need to protect vulnerable minors from such predatory behavior. The case has raised concerns among residents of Upper Norwood about online safety and the importance of vigilance in protecting children from exploitation.