SCARBOROUGH MAN AVOIDS JAIL FOR CHILD SEXUAL COMMUNICATION
A pervert who believed he was chatting with young girls online was actually communicating with vigilante paedophile hunters.Ian Horsman, aged 62, sent messages to adult decoys posing as girls aged 12 and 14 in September 2023.He was confronted by online vigilantes on Dunslow Road in Eastfield, Scarborough, where evidence was handed to the police.Horsman of Eastway, Eastfield, was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of sexual communication with children.He admitted the charges at Scarborough Magistrates Court last month.The case went to York Crown Court for sentencing on March 24, 2025.He received a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, allowing him to leave court free.In addition to his sentence, Horsman was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
He was also ordered to pay costs and charges totaling £337.Detective Sergeant Matthew Edwards of Scarborough & Ryedale CID stated: “Although the offences in this case were committed against fictional profiles and not real children, it was clear in the evidence that Horsman showed a high level of sexual grooming and perseverance towards who he believed were girls aged 14 and 12.
“This type of behavior is deeply concerning and North Yorkshire Police will relentlessly pursue such offenders who pose a serious risk to children.”
