MATTHEW CURTAIN PLYMOUTH SCHOOL GOVERNOR AND SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT IN DISTURBING ONLINE GROOMING PLOT
In October 2016, a disturbing case emerged involving Matthew Curtain, a 37-year-old school governor from Plymouth, who was convicted of engaging in heinous online grooming activities aimed at young girls.Curtain, who also worked as a taxi driver, orchestrated a sinister scheme by creating a fictitious online persona claiming to be a talented 15-year-old swimmer associated with Team GB.
His deception was designed to lure vulnerable girls into engaging in sexual conversations and acts over the internet.
According to court proceedings, Curtain went to great lengths to manipulate his victims.
He falsely claimed that his sister had been murdered, a fabricated story intended to gain their trust and lower their defenses.
Using this false identity, he communicated with multiple young females across the UK, although their exact ages remain undisclosed.
Police investigations uncovered an extensive record of over 16,000 lines of chat logs on Skype, revealing the depth of his online activities.
During the trial, it was revealed that Curtain persuaded two young girls to discuss sexual topics, perform explicit acts on themselves, and send nude photographs.
One of his victims, a girl aged 14, was first contacted in 2014.
Curtain introduced himself as a skilled swimmer from Kelly College, providing a false address at Penlee Gardens in Peverell, Plymouth, and sharing fake profile pictures to appear more convincing.
The communication then shifted to Skype, where Curtain dared the girl to perform sexual acts, including a disturbing request for her to use an aerosol can in a sexual manner, exploiting her shyness and desire to prove herself.
Further complicating the case, the girl agreed to be Curtain’s girlfriend without knowing his true identity.
She even agreed to meet him at the Life Centre in Plymouth, unaware of his real intentions.
The court heard that Curtain’s actions were part of a pattern of grooming and exploitation, with his motives rooted in sexual gratification.
Judge Paul Darlow sentenced Curtain to three years and eight months in prison.
In his remarks, the judge condemned Curtain’s actions, stating: “You, Mr.
Curtain, join a depressingly expanding list of males prepared to create on social media a fictitious profile with the express purpose of ensnaring and grooming young girls to perform sexual acts for your pleasure over the webcam.” It was also noted that Curtain held a position of trust as a school governor at a secondary school, although the court clarified that his crimes did not directly involve his role in education.
Since his arrest, Curtain has resigned from his position as a school governor and relinquished his taxi license.
He has also been placed on the sex offenders register for life, and currently, he is without employment and financial resources.
The case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable young people from predators like Matthew Curtain in Plymouth and beyond.
