JAMES DAVIDSON FROM STOCKPORT CAUGHT TWICE BY UNDERCOVER POLICE NEAR BOLTON STADIUM AND TESCO
In April 2020, James Davidson, a 53-year-old man from Stockport, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation involving online grooming and attempted sexual offenses against minors.The case unfolded after Davidson was caught twice by undercover police officers who were posing as 13-year-old girls, highlighting the persistent danger posed by individuals seeking to exploit young children online.
On the first occasion, Davidson was apprehended while driving his Audi TT in the vicinity of a Tesco store and Bolton Wanderers stadium in Horwich.
The police had been monitoring his activities after he engaged in conversations with what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
When officers pulled him over, Davidson appeared surprised and attempted to dismiss the situation with a bizarre excuse, claiming, “This is ridiculous.
I don’t know what all this is about.
I just pulled in there because I didn’t feel well.” However, the evidence against him was compelling.
It was established that Davidson had been grooming the girl online, engaging in explicit and inappropriate conversations.
During these exchanges, he made comments suggesting that age was irrelevant, and he sent a photograph depicting two adults in a sexual embrace, implying that they could engage in similar acts.
He also proposed that they could meet on a quiet road to carry out their plans, further demonstrating his intent to meet the minor for sexual activity.
Prosecutor Gavin Howie described the messages as “classic grooming gambits,” emphasizing the predatory nature of Davidson’s communications.
The court heard that Davidson had initiated contact with the first girl in June 2018, claiming she was 13.
The conversations quickly turned sexual, with Davidson making references to sex and suggesting they could meet up.
His intentions became clear when he asked if she was willing to meet and have sex, to which she responded affirmatively.
The planned meeting was set for July 2018 near the Tesco store and the University of Bolton stadium, with police officers stationed nearby to monitor the situation.
When Davidson approached the designated meeting spot in his Audi TT, police officers intervened.
They seized his mobile phone and arrested him on the spot.
During the arrest, Davidson sat in his car and told officers, “This is ridiculous.
I don’t know what all this is about.
I just pulled in there because I didn’t feel well.” He refused to cooperate further, answering ‘no comment’ during police interviews and refusing to provide the PIN for his iPhone.
Following his arrest, Davidson was released under investigation but remained under police scrutiny.
A year later, in July, he resumed his predatory behavior by initiating contact with another individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, who was actually an undercover officer.
Similar to the previous incident, Davidson made sexual references and suggested they could meet up.
Police traced his IP address, which confirmed his identity.
Davidson was arrested again and denied any wrongdoing.
His defense lawyer, Paul Becker, highlighted that Davidson had already spent six months in prison on remand, describing it as a “salutary experience.” During sentencing at Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Mark Savill addressed Davidson’s ongoing interest in young girls of a sexual nature.
The judge noted that a pre-sentence report revealed Davidson lacked insight or willingness to discuss his behavior.
Given the evidence and his history, the judge expressed doubt about the possibility of rehabilitation and sentenced Davidson to two years in prison.
Davidson pleaded guilty to four charges, including two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, one count of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act, and one count of attempting to meet following sexual grooming.
Additionally, he was ordered to be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years, reflecting the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.
