MARK ROBERTS FROM WIRRAL CAUGHT TRYING TO MEET UNDERAGE GIRLS IN LEEDS

In a disturbing case that unfolded in November 2018, Mark Roberts, a 58-year-old man from Wirral, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation after attempting to arrange a meeting with what he believed were two underage girls in Leeds. The incident began when Roberts sent a friend request on Facebook to a girl named Kiely, who claimed to be only 13 years old, on August 10 of the previous year. Despite her age, Roberts, described as 'morbidly obese' by court reports, persisted in engaging with her, exchanging messages daily on Facebook Messenger that included explicit discussions about sex.

During these conversations, Roberts sent images of an erect penis, requested nude photographs from Kiely, and discussed both full sexual acts and oral sex. His conversations also involved propositions for the girls, asking if Kiely and a girl named Becky, who he believed was 14, would be willing to sleep with him. He even offered to send them money for travel expenses or to pick them up himself, demonstrating a clear intent to meet the minors in person.

On the evening of November 17, around 7:45 pm, Roberts traveled to the vicinity of St George’s Hall in Leeds, where he intended to meet the girls. However, his plans were thwarted when members of the online vigilante group Predator Exposure, who had been monitoring his communications, confronted him at the scene. The group challenged Roberts and subsequently detained him, effectively executing a citizen’s arrest. The confrontation outside St George’s Hall marked the culmination of months of covert online activity.

Roberts, who previously worked for the Civil Service in a department responsible for investigating benefit fraud, had retired due to health issues. Following his arrest, police officers arrived at the scene and took him into custody. During questioning, Roberts admitted to having gone to meet the girls but denied any sexual intent, claiming that his actions were merely a joke. This denial persisted even during interviews with probation officers preparing a pre-sentence report.

Roberts had no prior criminal convictions, but he pleaded guilty in court to charges of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity. The presiding judge, Judge Woodhall, expressed concern over Roberts’ attitude and indicated that there was little hope for rehabilitation. As a result, Roberts was sentenced to two years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender and to adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the next ten years, underscoring the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses.