BRADFORD ON AVON MAN MICHAEL DEE JAILED FOR ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING OF TEENS IN TROWBRIDGE

In a disturbing incident that took place in Trowbridge, a 66-year-old man from Bradford on Avon, Michael Dee, was convicted and sentenced to prison for attempting to lure two 16-year-old girls into his vehicle under threatening circumstances. The events unfolded on November 29, when Dee, who resides on St Aldhelm Road in Bradford on Avon, was seen targeting the young girls as they walked along Wiltshire Drive in Trowbridge.

According to reports, Dee approached the girls in his car, claiming to be a police officer and instructing them to get into his vehicle. His approach was alarming, as he was armed with a knife, which he had concealed up his sleeve. Fortunately, one of the girls displayed quick thinking and demanded to see identification, which prompted her to scrutinize the car more closely. During this inspection, the girls noticed the concealed knife, which caused them to panic and flee the scene immediately.

Once home, the girls recounted the frightening encounter to their families. One of the girls’ fathers expressed his concern, stating that he had never seen his daughter so terrified, and that her friend was in an even worse state of distress. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, he promptly called 999 to alert the police.

Law enforcement officials responded swiftly. Armed with a description of Dee and a partial vehicle registration number, officers tracked him down a few days later at a caravan park in Westbury. Dee was subsequently arrested and taken into custody. During questioning, he admitted to two counts of attempted kidnapping and possession of a knife.

Dee’s criminal history includes a previous conviction for rape and false imprisonment in 1999, when he was sentenced to nine years in prison. At that time, he was found guilty of raping a colleague at knifepoint after visiting her home. The court noted that Dee is a predatory sex offender based on his past record and recent actions.

His defense attorney, Mike Pulsford, argued that the recent offenses occurred while Dee was out seeking prostitutes. However, he admitted that upon realizing the victims were underage, Dee continued to attempt to lure them into his car despite knowing they were not prostitutes.

Judge Douglas Field, presiding over the case at Swindon Crown Court, sentenced Dee to four years in prison for the attempted kidnapping. Additionally, Dee was ordered to serve a further four years on license following his release. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Field emphasized the gravity of Dee’s actions, highlighting that Dee’s possession of a knife and his pretense of being a police officer demonstrated a clear intent to commit sexual offenses. The judge described Dee’s behavior as stemming from a “deep-seated sexual perversion,” and expressed concern over his predatory tendencies.

Dee’s criminal conduct has once again brought to light the dangers posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses, and the community of Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge remains vigilant in the wake of this disturbing incident.