KEITH FAGAN FROM BELMONT SENTENCED IN DURHAM FOR ONLINE SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRLS

In a case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilant law enforcement, Keith Fagan, a 56-year-old man residing on Devonshire Road in Belmont, Durham, has been convicted and sentenced for serious offences related to attempting to incite underage girls to engage in sexual activities through internet communications.

The incident came to light in June 2014 when Durham Police conducted an undercover operation aimed at catching individuals attempting to exploit minors online. Fagan was targeted as part of this operation after he engaged in chatroom conversations under the false identity of 'Keith, 49, from Durham.' During these interactions, Fagan believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl, but in reality, the person on the other end was an undercover police officer.

According to court reports, Fagan initiated contact with the officer in February, immediately establishing communication and sending sexually explicit messages. He expressed a desire to meet up and introduced the idea of engaging in sexual activities, stating, “Love to meet up and introduce you to the joys of sex.” He also encouraged the fictitious minor to perform sexual acts, which he watched over his webcam. The police investigation revealed that Fagan frequently sent her links to pornography and performed sexual acts on camera for her to see.

Prosecutor Sarah Mallet explained that Fagan’s online behaviour was persistent and predatory. He had also been in contact with two other chatroom users claiming to be girls aged 13 and 15, with whom he engaged in sexual conversations. The police officers, acting on the evidence gathered, arrested Fagan at his home in March after he had been online for approximately two hours without a break. During the arrest, officers found that Fagan had been actively involved in these illicit communications for some time.

Fagan’s defence attorney, Joe Hedworth, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, describing it as a “catastrophic fall from grace” for his client. He pointed out that Fagan had lost his job, which he was proud of and which provided his family with a decent standard of living.

At Durham Crown Court, Recorder Tahir Khan sentenced Fagan to three years in prison and imposed a sexual offences prevention order. The judge emphasized that the offences were not impulsive but involved careful planning, with a clear element of grooming. He stated, “There is clear evidence these offences did not occur on the spur of the moment and you must have thought long and hard about what you were going to do. There is a feature of grooming to these offences.”

Following the sentencing, Detective Lisa Rooney expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I am satisfied with the sentence in this case and it reflects the seriousness of the offences and the offending nature of Mr Fagan. It sends out a clear message that despite the crimes being committed on the internet and within the home, offenders can be identified, investigated, and successfully convicted.”