LEE WICKERS FROM FITZPATRICK JAILED FOR GROOMING DECOY GIRLS IN NORTHAMPTON
| Red Rose Database
Fitzpatrick Child Sexual Abuser
In a significant case highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat online child exploitation, Lee Wickers, a 21-year-old man from Fitzpatrick, Northampton, has been sentenced to two years in prison following his arrest for attempting to groom what he believed were underage girls. The incident unfolded after Wickers-Fitzpatrick engaged in online conversations with two decoy profiles, which were part of an anti-paedophile operation designed to catch individuals seeking to exploit minors.
Wickers-Fitzpatrick, residing at St Margarets Gardens in Northampton, appeared before Northampton Crown Court on Wednesday, May 26. He faced multiple charges, including two counts of sexually communicating with someone he did not reasonably believe to be 16 or over, and one count of intentionally arranging or facilitating a child sex offence. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about his interactions with the decoys, which were set up by vigilant anti-paedophile groups to monitor and apprehend potential offenders.
The first decoy profile was a Facebook and WhatsApp account of a girl claiming to be 13 years old. On December 17, 2021, Wickers-Fitzpatrick initiated contact by messaging her, asking her age before revealing that he was 21 and from Northampton. Prosecutor Ben Gow explained that Wickers-Fitzpatrick expressed a desire to video call the girl to “get to know her better” and discussed the possibility of becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. He also suggested they could watch films together and engage in cuddling and kissing, indicating his intent to pursue a sexual relationship.
The court heard that Wickers-Fitzpatrick made six attempts to meet with the decoy girl in person. Each time, the girl canceled last minute, citing illness or other reasons. On one occasion, she proposed meeting outside a Northampton school at 7 pm, explaining her mother worked overnight shifts. Despite these cancellations, Wickers-Fitzpatrick persisted, and on February 9, 2022, he arranged to meet her at 7:45 pm. He sent her a video of himself on a bus en route to the meeting, but he was intercepted by members of the anti-paedophile group before he could reach her.
The second decoy profile involved a girl who claimed to be 12 years old. Wickers-Fitzpatrick initially contacted her, claiming to be from Essex. He complimented her, calling her “pretty,” and asked to exchange phone numbers. The court was told that he then asked if she wanted to be his girlfriend and sent her an explicit image of himself, further demonstrating his inappropriate intentions.
Following his confrontation by the anti-paedophile group, Wickers-Fitzpatrick was arrested and taken into custody. During police interviews, he claimed that he had been “hacked” and that he was a victim of “sextortion,” asserting that he had taken a picture of his genitalia to show his doctor, which was then sent by a hacker. However, the evidence against him was clear, and his actions were deemed to be for sexual purposes.
Wickers-Fitzpatrick’s criminal history includes previous convictions for possessing weapons, assaulting a police officer, possessing Class A drugs, and harassment. His Honour Judge David Herbert addressed the court, condemning his actions and highlighting the lack of insight or remorse. The judge stated, “The reality is you have no insight into your offending and, to date, have little to no desire to address it.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Wickers-Fitzpatrick was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that will remain in effect for ten years, aiming to prevent any future offences and protect potential victims from similar predatory behavior. The case underscores the importance of vigilant online monitoring and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community groups to safeguard children from exploitation.
2024 -
A 23-year-old man has been sent to prison after he was found to have breached the conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
SHPOs are issued by the courts to sex offenders and are designed to prevent a person from engaging in activities that could pose a risk of sexual harm to the public.
As a registered sex offender and someone subject to such an order, Lee Wickers-Fitzpatrick was expected to abide by very strict conditions and received regular unannounced visits from Northamptonshire Police’s MOSOVO Team.
However, on April 19, this year, a routine visit at Wickers-Fitzpatrick’s home uncovered the fact that he had more mobile phones than he had declared.
He was also found to be in possession of a passport that he had acquired and not informed police of.
As a result, he was charged with one count of breaching his SHPO and one count of failing to comply with his Sex Offenders’ Register requirements.
After being bailed to appear before the court to answer the charges, Wickers-Fitzpatrick was further arrested at the beginning of October after being found with a 17-year-old girl and also in possession of another mobile phone he hadn’t made police aware of.
He was charged with another count of breaching his SHPO as a result.
After pleading guilty to the offences at Northampton Crown Court at earlier court hearings, Wickers-Fitzpatrick returned to the same court on October 24 where he was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.
Wickers-Fitzpatrick, residing at St Margarets Gardens in Northampton, appeared before Northampton Crown Court on Wednesday, May 26. He faced multiple charges, including two counts of sexually communicating with someone he did not reasonably believe to be 16 or over, and one count of intentionally arranging or facilitating a child sex offence. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about his interactions with the decoys, which were set up by vigilant anti-paedophile groups to monitor and apprehend potential offenders.
The first decoy profile was a Facebook and WhatsApp account of a girl claiming to be 13 years old. On December 17, 2021, Wickers-Fitzpatrick initiated contact by messaging her, asking her age before revealing that he was 21 and from Northampton. Prosecutor Ben Gow explained that Wickers-Fitzpatrick expressed a desire to video call the girl to “get to know her better” and discussed the possibility of becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. He also suggested they could watch films together and engage in cuddling and kissing, indicating his intent to pursue a sexual relationship.
The court heard that Wickers-Fitzpatrick made six attempts to meet with the decoy girl in person. Each time, the girl canceled last minute, citing illness or other reasons. On one occasion, she proposed meeting outside a Northampton school at 7 pm, explaining her mother worked overnight shifts. Despite these cancellations, Wickers-Fitzpatrick persisted, and on February 9, 2022, he arranged to meet her at 7:45 pm. He sent her a video of himself on a bus en route to the meeting, but he was intercepted by members of the anti-paedophile group before he could reach her.
The second decoy profile involved a girl who claimed to be 12 years old. Wickers-Fitzpatrick initially contacted her, claiming to be from Essex. He complimented her, calling her “pretty,” and asked to exchange phone numbers. The court was told that he then asked if she wanted to be his girlfriend and sent her an explicit image of himself, further demonstrating his inappropriate intentions.
Following his confrontation by the anti-paedophile group, Wickers-Fitzpatrick was arrested and taken into custody. During police interviews, he claimed that he had been “hacked” and that he was a victim of “sextortion,” asserting that he had taken a picture of his genitalia to show his doctor, which was then sent by a hacker. However, the evidence against him was clear, and his actions were deemed to be for sexual purposes.
Wickers-Fitzpatrick’s criminal history includes previous convictions for possessing weapons, assaulting a police officer, possessing Class A drugs, and harassment. His Honour Judge David Herbert addressed the court, condemning his actions and highlighting the lack of insight or remorse. The judge stated, “The reality is you have no insight into your offending and, to date, have little to no desire to address it.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Wickers-Fitzpatrick was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that will remain in effect for ten years, aiming to prevent any future offences and protect potential victims from similar predatory behavior. The case underscores the importance of vigilant online monitoring and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community groups to safeguard children from exploitation.
2024 -
A 23-year-old man has been sent to prison after he was found to have breached the conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
SHPOs are issued by the courts to sex offenders and are designed to prevent a person from engaging in activities that could pose a risk of sexual harm to the public.
As a registered sex offender and someone subject to such an order, Lee Wickers-Fitzpatrick was expected to abide by very strict conditions and received regular unannounced visits from Northamptonshire Police’s MOSOVO Team.
However, on April 19, this year, a routine visit at Wickers-Fitzpatrick’s home uncovered the fact that he had more mobile phones than he had declared.
He was also found to be in possession of a passport that he had acquired and not informed police of.
As a result, he was charged with one count of breaching his SHPO and one count of failing to comply with his Sex Offenders’ Register requirements.
After being bailed to appear before the court to answer the charges, Wickers-Fitzpatrick was further arrested at the beginning of October after being found with a 17-year-old girl and also in possession of another mobile phone he hadn’t made police aware of.
He was charged with another count of breaching his SHPO as a result.
After pleading guilty to the offences at Northampton Crown Court at earlier court hearings, Wickers-Fitzpatrick returned to the same court on October 24 where he was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.