SEAHAM MAN MICHAEL TAYLOR CAUGHT IN ONLINE SEXUAL PLOT IN DURHAM

In April 2021, a disturbing case unfolded involving a 59-year-old man from Seaham, Michael Taylor, who believed he was engaging in conversations with a young girl on the internet. Unbeknownst to him, he was actually communicating with an undercover police officer. The incident was brought to light during a court hearing at Durham Crown Court, revealing the extent of Taylor's inappropriate online behavior.

According to court reports, Taylor initially believed he was chatting with a girl named Emma, who he thought was only 13 years old. The conversations began on the dating application Fast Flirting on December 7. As their messaging continued, Emma made it clear she was just 13, but Taylor's messages soon took a more sinister turn. The communication then moved to WhatsApp, where the tone shifted from seemingly innocent to explicitly sexual.

On the first day of their exchanges, the messages remained relatively harmless, described as “innocuous” by the prosecutor Ian West. However, the following day, Taylor's messages became increasingly inappropriate. He asked Emma if she was ever “naughty on her own” and encouraged her to touch her private parts, crossing a clear line into sexual predation.

When Taylor was arrested, he was straightforward with police officers, admitting to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. His actions prompted immediate legal action, and he faced charges for his conduct.

During the court proceedings, Recorder David Gordon noted that Taylor was “effectively a man of previous good character,” which influenced the sentencing decision. Taylor, who resides on Albert Street in Seaham, was given a 12-month prison sentence, but this was suspended for 18 months. As part of his probation, he is required to complete 40 days of rehabilitation activities and adhere to a strict home curfew from 8 pm to 7 am for three months.

Furthermore, Taylor will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must register as a sex offender for the next ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct and compliance with legal restrictions designed to protect the public from potential harm.