HUGH STOCKDALE CAUGHT IN TOTTERDOWN PAEDOPHILE STING AT BRISTOL CROWN COURT

In June 2019, a disturbing case unfolded involving Hugh Stockdale, a shop manager from Totterdown, who was caught in a covert operation targeting online predators. Stockdale, employed at Kodak Express on Park Street, became the subject of an undercover sting conducted by the vigilant groups Soul Survivors and Welsh Warriors, both dedicated to exposing individuals seeking to exploit minors.

Stockdale, aged 38 and residing in New Walls, Totterdown, engaged in a series of alarming online communications with what he believed were underage girls. These interactions were part of an elaborate operation where members of the groups posed as 13- and 14-year-old girls to lure potential offenders. During the investigation, Stockdale sent graphic images of himself, including a photo of him in the bath, and made explicit propositions, clearly indicating his intent to engage in sexual activities with minors.

The offences took place between August and December of the previous year. Stockdale admitted to attempting to cause a child to watch a sex act and to two counts of attempting sexual communication with a minor. His actions culminated in a planned meeting at Bristol Temple Meads station, which he later canceled citing a Christmas party. However, the groups had already gathered evidence and decided to confront him at his workplace.

On December 13, representatives from Soul Survivors entered Kodak Express with hidden cameras, confronting Stockdale in front of his employer. His boss was called to the scene, and although the situation was tense, he managed to de-escalate the confrontation. Police officers arrived shortly after and took Stockdale into custody. During the police interview, he chose to remain silent, offering no comment.

Footage of the confrontation was shared publicly on Facebook by Soul Survivors, which later proved instrumental in the case. One of the individuals involved in the sting, who worked with Welsh Warriors, had previously posed as a 14-year-old girl on the Skout chat platform. She recounted that Stockdale had approached her on August 25 of the previous year, sending graphic images and a video of himself performing a solo sex act. He also made inappropriate comments about his physical attributes and asked for a picture of her breasts. Despite suggesting they meet, the conversation did not progress beyond the idea of her saving up pocket money to travel to Bristol.

It was only after viewing the footage that she decided to report the matter to authorities, leading to Stockdale’s arrest. The prosecution highlighted his attempts to manipulate and groom the decoy, including asking her to pretend he was her uncle and expressing regret about their age difference. He also suggested that if they were to meet, she could claim he was her uncle to avoid suspicion.

At Bristol Crown Court, Judge Longman sentenced Stockdale to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years. The judge acknowledged that loneliness might have influenced his behavior but emphasized that this was insufficient to justify his actions. He also ordered Stockdale to register as a sex offender for ten years, complete 50 rehabilitation sessions, and pay £670 in costs. Stockdale, who previously worked in computer repairs in Kingswood, is earning approximately £1,000 per month and plans to return to full-time employment soon.

When asked for a comment after sentencing, Stockdale simply replied, “No comment. It’s been dealt with.” His case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online and the importance of vigilant community efforts to protect vulnerable minors from exploitation.