ALFRETON MAN LUKE LITTLE SENTENCED IN DERBYSHIRE FOR ONLINE SEXUAL OFFENSES ON GRINDR

In a case that has raised serious concerns about online safety and the management of sex offenders, Luke Little, a 28-year-old man from Alfreton, was sentenced in Derbyshire for breaching a sexual harm prevention order through illicit online activity. The incident unfolded after Little, who was on parole at the time, purchased a tablet and used an alias to engage with others on the popular LGBTQ dating platform Grindr.

Little’s criminal history is extensive. In June 2020, he was convicted of two counts of inciting a child under the age of 13 and for downloading and distributing indecent images of children. As a result, he received a four-year prison sentence. Following his release in December 2021, he was placed under supervision, with strict conditions aimed at preventing further offending.

However, concerns about his conduct arose during a routine supervision meeting in July of the current year. Authorities became aware that Little had allegedly formed a sexual relationship with someone, which was a breach of his strict supervision conditions. Stuart Lody, prosecuting, explained that Little initially denied the allegations and even contacted the individual involved via phone to deny any sexual relationship. Yet, during the call, which was conducted over speakerphone, it was revealed that the two had actually met up on Grindr, directly contravening the terms of his sexual harm prevention order.

Further investigation uncovered that Little had acquired an Amazon Fire tablet capable of internet access, which he used to communicate online. Authorities seized both a computer and the mobile device, which showed that Little had used a false name on a social media profile, again breaching the conditions of his order. The evidence indicated that he was actively engaging in online conversations that could facilitate further harm.

During the court proceedings, Little chose to represent himself and did not seek legal counsel. In his statement to Judge Jonathan Bennett, he explained that his actions were driven by mental health struggles. He admitted that when he purchased the tablet and started using Grindr, he was overwhelmed by loneliness and experiencing suicidal ideation. Little expressed that he was in a fragile mental state and needed someone to talk to, which led him to seek connection online.

The judge addressed Little’s breaches, emphasizing that despite his young age and relatively recent entry into the criminal justice system, his actions demonstrated a significant risk to public safety. Judge Bennett sentenced him to nine months in prison, to run concurrently with his existing sentence. Little is currently serving the remainder of his original sentence after being recalled to prison following his breach.

Overall, the case highlights ongoing concerns about the monitoring of sex offenders and the potential dangers posed by online interactions, especially when individuals breach court orders designed to protect the public from further harm.