IAN FORSYTH OFFERTON STOCKPORT CAUGHT SENDING PICTURE OF GENITALS TO 'CHILD' BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS

In December 2020, a disturbing incident unfolded involving Ian Forsyth, a 42-year-old man from Offerton, Stockport, who fell prey to his own reckless impulses. The case came to light after Forsyth engaged in an online conversation with what he believed was a 13-year-old girl, only to be confronted later by paedophile hunters at his residence.

Initially, Forsyth had intended to communicate with an adult, but he made a critical error in judgment by engaging with a decoy account operated by an adult member of the vigilante group. Over the course of a 20-minute online chat in July of the previous year, Forsyth exchanged sexually suggestive messages, which culminated in him sending a graphic image of his genitals to what he thought was a minor.

The paedophile hunters, having traced Forsyth’s IP address, located his home in Offerton and paid him a visit a few days after the online exchange. During the confrontation, Forsyth did not deny his actions. Instead, he admitted, “Yes it’s me, I’m a d*** head, I shouldn’t be doing this.”

Prosecutor Mark Brookes told Minshull Street Crown Court that Forsyth claimed he had “fallen into a trap” and expressed feelings of shame over his conduct. The court heard that Forsyth’s computer was seized during the investigation, but no indecent images were found on it. Forsyth, who has no prior criminal record, has since taken steps to monitor his internet activity by installing filtering software and has committed to participating in a rehabilitation programme aimed at addressing his behaviour.

Following his arrest, Forsyth reported receiving threats, adding to the distress caused by his actions. Judge Mark Savill acknowledged the seriousness of the offence but opted against sending Forsyth to prison, citing his actions as a “one-off aberration” and emphasizing that his behaviour was a significant lapse in judgment rather than indicative of a pattern.

Forsyth, of Poise Brook Road, Offerton, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. The court sentenced him to an 18-month community order and mandated his participation in the Horizon programme, a specialist course for sex offenders. The judge also highlighted that Forsyth’s conduct was a grave breach of trust and a serious offence, but ultimately, he was given a chance for rehabilitation rather than incarceration.