MARK PRESLEY CAUGHT IN BLACKPOOL PAEDOPHILE STING: BISEPHAM MAN ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE PAST OFFENCES

In January 2018, a disturbing incident unfolded on the bustling Blackpool pier involving Mark Presley, a man from Bispham, who was caught in a sting operation conducted by an online child protection group known as 'The Innocence Keepers.'

Presley, aged 49 and known for his obsession with Elvis Presley, was lured into a trap after he expressed a desire to meet what he believed was a 13-year-old girl. The group had created fake profiles to catch potential offenders, and Presley was ensnared when he arranged to meet the decoy girl, carrying a stick of rock as a token of their supposed meeting.

The incident was set in motion months earlier through Facebook correspondence, where Presley sent a friend request to a profile he believed belonged to a young girl. Their online chats quickly turned inappropriate, with Presley discussing her interests, boys, and even suggesting they meet in Blackpool. Despite the decoy reminding him of her age and that she was still in school, Presley ignored these facts and persisted in his intentions.

During the conversations, Presley also interacted with another profile named 'Samantha,' created by the same group, which indicated the girl was 13. The chats with both profiles were strikingly similar, and Presley’s intentions became clear as he expressed his attraction and eagerness to meet her.

On October 28 of the previous year, the group carried out their sting on Blackpool pier, leading to Presley’s arrest. He believed he was about to meet a 13-year-old girl, and the police responded swiftly after being alerted by the group. Presley had been in custody since his arrest and appeared at Preston Crown Court via video link.

Prosecutor Emma Kehoe detailed the online exchanges, highlighting how Presley, despite being aware of the girl’s age, continued to pursue the meeting. She explained that Presley had also been communicating with another decoy profile, further emphasizing his persistent attempts to engage with minors.

Presley’s criminal history was also discussed during the hearing. He had previous convictions dating back to 1990 for gross indecency and indecent assault, and he was previously placed on probation. His defense lawyer, Paul Robinson, argued that Presley had shown remorse through his guilty plea and written letters. Robinson also highlighted Presley’s ongoing medical issues, including Cerebral Ataxia, and his history of being bullied and targeted by hate crimes, which he claimed contributed to his vulnerability and loneliness.

Judge Andrew Woolman acknowledged Presley’s disabilities and personal struggles but emphasized that there were no actual children involved in this case, as the profiles were fabricated by the group. The judge stated that Presley’s actions appeared to be driven more by a desire for companionship rather than sexual attraction, describing his conduct as attempts rather than actual offences. He characterized Presley as a vulnerable and distressed individual, noting that he had suffered from bullying and hate crimes, and that he was