EXETER MAN LEWIS TEAGUE CAUGHT TWICE BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS IN CREDITON AND BRIXHAM
In a disturbing series of events spanning over a year, Lewis Teague, a 24-year-old resident of Elizabeth Avenue in Exeter, found himself at the center of a criminal investigation after being caught twice by different groups of paedophile hunters.These vigilant citizen groups exposed Teague on two separate occasions, once in January 2019 and again in February 2020, highlighting the persistent efforts of online watchdogs to combat child exploitation.
Teague’s online activities involved sending sexually explicit messages to what he believed were underage girls, aged 14 and 15.
In reality, these were decoys operated by internet safety organizations aiming to catch predators.
The first decoy, claiming to be 14, engaged with Teague, who sent her explicit messages.
The second decoy, posing as a 15-year-old girl, received a photo of his genitals from him.
During their interactions, Teague also arranged to meet the older girl in Crediton for sexual activity.
Authorities intervened when Teague traveled to Crediton, where police arrested him.
During the arrest, officers discovered two vibrators, lubricant, and an empty packet of virility tablets designed to aid erections, indicating his intent and preparation for sexual activity.
The police confirmed that Teague had been grooming the decoys and attempting to meet a minor for sex.
At Exeter Crown Court, Judge Peter Johnson sentenced Teague to a one-year suspended jail term.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Teague was ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activities.
He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, which grants law enforcement the authority to monitor his online activity for the next ten years.
Prosecutor Mr.
Tom Bradnock highlighted that Teague was ‘stung’ by the efforts of paedophile hunting groups during both incidents.
The first decoy, Pixie Lou from the team ‘The Forbidden,’ claimed to be 14, while the second was a 15-year-old decoy.
Teague admitted to speaking sexually to what he believed were young girls online and acknowledged his actions during police interviews.
Further investigations revealed that Teague was also followed by online vigilante groups, including The UK Database and Totnes Justice, who tracked him from Exeter to Brixham, where they confronted him about his internet activity.
His online behavior and the evidence collected led to his conviction and sentencing, marking another case in the ongoing battle against online child exploitation.
