KARL RATCLIFFE FROM SHIREBROOK SENTENCED IN DERBY FOR ONLINE GROOMING OFFENSES
| Red Rose Database
Shirebrook Child Sexual Abuser
In March 2019, Karl William Ratcliffe, 52, formerly residing in Shirebrook, was sentenced after being caught attempting to groom schoolgirls online. A paedophile-hunter group called “Taxi for Nonce UK” tracked him down by posing as a young girl online. Prosecuting solicitor Sarah Allen explained that one member of the group used a photo of her niece, aged 13 to 14, to attract potential offenders.
Ms. Allen stated, “She used a site called FastMeat and began speaking to Mr. Ratcliffe. After initial contact, they moved the conversation to WhatsApp.” The profile used was under the name ‘Sophie,’ claiming to be from Chilwell, Nottingham.
During the chat, Ratcliffe discussed topics such as school, her age, wearing underwear, and tattooing her belly button. Ms. Allen described, “He asked her about her breasts, whether they were big or small, and requested she show her bottom and what she wears in bed. He also asked if she was growing pubic hair.”
Further, the prosecution revealed that Ratcliffe referenced the girl washing her private parts during her shower and suggested that she should touch herself. Ms. Allen added, “He was traced by this group to his home address in Shirebrook, where he was confronted. He made admissions to a male member of the group, and the police were called.”
The incident was publicly shared within the community via livestreams and Facebook by the paedophile-hunters, which is why Ratcliffe was remanded in custody for his safety. Unemployed and previously of good character, Ratcliffe pleaded guilty in January to attempting to cause a young female to engage in sexual activity and to communicating sexually with a child.
Judge Bennett emphasized that Ratcliffe deserved prison for his actions, describing what he did as “wholly inappropriate and wrong.” However, he also noted the importance of rehabilitation efforts to prevent future offending and to better protect the public.
The judge sentenced Ratcliffe to a two-year community order including participation in a sex-offender program and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Additionally, Ratcliffe will be required to register as a sex offender for five years and was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same duration.
Ms. Allen stated, “She used a site called FastMeat and began speaking to Mr. Ratcliffe. After initial contact, they moved the conversation to WhatsApp.” The profile used was under the name ‘Sophie,’ claiming to be from Chilwell, Nottingham.
During the chat, Ratcliffe discussed topics such as school, her age, wearing underwear, and tattooing her belly button. Ms. Allen described, “He asked her about her breasts, whether they were big or small, and requested she show her bottom and what she wears in bed. He also asked if she was growing pubic hair.”
Further, the prosecution revealed that Ratcliffe referenced the girl washing her private parts during her shower and suggested that she should touch herself. Ms. Allen added, “He was traced by this group to his home address in Shirebrook, where he was confronted. He made admissions to a male member of the group, and the police were called.”
The incident was publicly shared within the community via livestreams and Facebook by the paedophile-hunters, which is why Ratcliffe was remanded in custody for his safety. Unemployed and previously of good character, Ratcliffe pleaded guilty in January to attempting to cause a young female to engage in sexual activity and to communicating sexually with a child.
Judge Bennett emphasized that Ratcliffe deserved prison for his actions, describing what he did as “wholly inappropriate and wrong.” However, he also noted the importance of rehabilitation efforts to prevent future offending and to better protect the public.
The judge sentenced Ratcliffe to a two-year community order including participation in a sex-offender program and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Additionally, Ratcliffe will be required to register as a sex offender for five years and was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same duration.