BRADFORD PAEDOPHILE IAN KERSHAW CAUGHT BY CITIZENS AT RAIL STATION
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Bradford community, Ian Kershaw, a 52-year-old man from Bradford, was caught in a sting operation at Huddersfield Train Station after attempting to meet what he believed was a 13-year-old girl.The incident unfolded in January 2018, when Kershaw, a resident of Odsal Road, Bradford, engaged in online communication with a profile he thought belonged to a young girl.
According to court proceedings at Bradford Crown Court, the profile he contacted was under the alias 'Ali Smith.' Unbeknownst to Kershaw, the profile was operated by members of the group Parents Against Paedophiles, who used a photograph of a 15-year-old girl to create the persona.
The group’s aim was to catch individuals attempting to engage in illegal activities with minors.
Prosecutor Nick Askins detailed how Kershaw first saw the profile on the Qeep social media app and initiated contact.
He inquired about 'Ali's' whereabouts in the country.
In her second reply, the profile claimed to be a 13-year-old girl.
Following this, a series of sexually explicit messages ensued, with Kershaw offering to give 'Ali' 'sex lessons' and asking if she wanted to be his girlfriend.
He also proposed that she spend the night at his home in Wibsey when they met.
During their online exchanges, Kershaw shared his mobile number, and the communication continued with plans to meet in person.
The meeting was scheduled for January 13 at Huddersfield Train Station.
When Kershaw arrived at the station, he approached the person he believed to be 'Ali.' Instead, he was confronted by members of Parents Against Paedophiles, who carried out a citizen’s arrest.
In police interviews, Kershaw claimed he had no intention of taking the girl to his home and intended only to tell her to go home.
He admitted that he probably sent the messages while intoxicated and only read them sober but still chose to meet her.
His actions led to charges of attempting to groom a girl under 16 and inciting a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity.
Representing Kershaw, Rodney Ferm highlighted that his client had already served four months in custody on an initial charge, which the prosecution did not pursue further.
Ferm described Kershaw as an isolated individual who worked as a roofer and cared for his mother.
He suggested that Kershaw’s actions reflected his social isolation and desperation, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense.
Judge David Hatton QC sentenced Kershaw to a three-year community order.
The order includes mandatory participation in rehabilitation programs, specifically targeting sexual offending behaviors.
Additionally, Kershaw was placed under an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and is required to register as a sex offender for five years.
The judge noted that no actual harm occurred in this case, as the person Kershaw believed he was communicating with was a decoy.
However, he expressed concern over Kershaw’s attempt to engage with and meet a person he erroneously believed to be a minor, emphasizing the need for intervention and addressing the underlying issues.
