HOWARD BLACKBURN CAUGHT IN COCKERMOUTH: GROOMING GIRLS ON BADOOPOLICE STING IN WHITEHAVEN

In a significant case that highlights the ongoing dangers of online grooming, Howard Blackburn, aged 27, of St Leonard's Court in Cockermouth, was sentenced to a four-year prison term after being convicted of multiple sexual offences. The incident unfolded in August when Blackburn was arrested following a police operation that involved an undercover officer posing as a teenage girl on the social networking platform Badoo.

Blackburn had been engaging in conversations with what he believed was a 13-year-old girl, with the intent of arranging a meeting in Whitehaven. Unbeknownst to him, the individual he was communicating with was an undercover police officer monitoring online activity for potential grooming offences. The arrest took place when Blackburn arrived at the designated meeting spot, unaware that law enforcement was waiting to apprehend him.

The court proceedings revealed that Blackburn had used the social media site to plan a face-to-face encounter with the supposed young girl. During the trial at Carlisle Crown Court, he admitted to five counts of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, as well as one count of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. Additionally, Blackburn confessed to possessing cocaine, which contributed to the severity of his sentencing.

Following his arrest, authorities expanded their investigation to determine whether Blackburn had targeted real teenage girls in his online interactions. The court heard evidence suggesting that Blackburn's online activity was part of a broader pattern of grooming behavior.

As part of his sentencing, Blackburn was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order. This order aims to restrict his internet usage upon his release from prison, in an effort to prevent further offences and protect potential victims. The case underscores the importance of vigilant online monitoring and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors.