LEE WRIGHT-KING AND SHOCKING PREDATORY ACTIVITIES IN HARTLEPOOL
A man from Hartlepool, identified as Lee Wright-King, aged 34, found himself caught in a carefully orchestrated sting operation after attempting to engage in sexual communication with what he believed to be underage girls online.The incident unfolded at Hartlepool railway station, where Wright-King was lured into a trap set by a vigilant group working alongside law enforcement authorities.
This group, known as STOP, employed decoys posing as young girls aged 12 and 14 to lure potential predators.
Wright-King had been communicating daily over several weeks with these decoys, believing them to be real minors.
He used a false identity to groom the alleged victims, initially discussing plans to meet one girl in Wales.
Eventually, he agreed to meet the 12-year-old girl in Middlesbrough before traveling to Hartlepool on September 20.
During the exchange, the decoys relayed information about their supposed age and personal background.
In conversations, the 12-year-old told Wright-King she had never had a boyfriend and was unsure how to kiss someone.
The offender expressed intentions of taking her into the woods for sex and asked her to wear a summer dress.
He conveyed that he could not wait to meet her, revealing a disturbing eagerness to carry out his intentions, as detailed by prosecutor Emma Atkinson during court proceedings.
Wright-King was found with a sex toy and lubricant in his possession when detained at the scene, further underscoring the sexual nature of his intentions.
The decoys acting as the girls documented his inappropriate responses and propositions.
The entire operation was conducted with the aim of catching individuals attempting to exploit children, with the group and police working in concert to bring him to justice.
During a court hearing at Teesside Crown Court, Wright-King’s defense solicitor, Christine Egerton, acknowledged his limited criminal history, which included only a minor shoplifting conviction.
She expressed some mitigation, noting that it was fortunate no actual child was involved in the incident.
Egerton stated that Wright-King has shown genuine remorse and is committed to addressing his behavior through rehabilitative efforts, asserting that he is determined not to offend again.
However, Judge Jonathan Carroll did not look favorably on his actions.
Appearing by videolink from Durham Prison, Wright-King was condemned for his deliberate attempt to manipulate and pressure the decoys, knowing full well the danger he posed to children.
The judge emphasized that Wright-King attempted to conceal his intentions from the decoys to avoid detection.
As a result, Wright-King was handed a custodial sentence of 27 months.
In addition to his jail term, he received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years, which prohibits him from having any contact with children.
He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for the same duration.
The court mandated the destruction of the sex toy and lubricant recovered from him.
Wright-King pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and one count of attempting to meet a child for sex, marking a conviction for serious offenses involving the exploitation of minors.
