NEIL CLARK FROM WINSFORD ESCAPES JAIL AFTER PAEDOPHILE HUNTER TRAP IN WARRINGTON

In October 2017, Neil Clark, a man from Winsford, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation after being caught in a sting operation conducted by a paedophile hunter group. Clark, who was wheelchair-bound at the time, was accused of engaging in inappropriate online communications with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.

According to court proceedings held at Liverpool Crown Court, Clark initiated contact through an online chat room called Qeep, where he used his real date of birth but also created a fictitious account claiming to be a 13-year-old girl. The online interactions quickly escalated, with Clark sending explicit, lewd, and graphic messages to what he thought was a vulnerable young girl. The chat continued over several weeks via WhatsApp, during which Clark made increasingly sexual and inappropriate suggestions despite the girl indicating her disinterest in engaging in sexual activity.

Prosecutor Rob Jones explained that the paedophile hunter group, known as Creep Catchers UK, was dedicated to investigating child sex offences. One of their members infiltrated the chat room, posing as a 13-year-old girl, and maintained contact with Clark. It was during these exchanges that Clark explicitly expressed his desire to meet the girl in person, specifically suggesting they meet at Warrington’s Golden Square on June 10. He even advised her on what underwear to wear and explicitly stated his intention to have sex with her.

Although the planned meeting never took place, the paedophile hunter group took action by visiting Clark’s residence in Winsford. They confronted him directly and called the police. Clark was asked to surrender his mobile phone, which he did. During police interviews, Clark admitted that his actions were driven by boredom and stupidity, claiming he did it without serious intent.

Judge David Aubrey, QC, presiding over the case, was unequivocal in his judgment. He rejected Clark’s claim that his actions were merely a fantasy, emphasizing that by engaging in online chats and sending explicit messages, Clark was exploiting a vulnerable individual. The judge stated, “He had been exploiting her,” and highlighted that Clark had sent “lewd, explicit and graphic texts to a vulnerable person you believed was 13 years old.”

Clark, who was formerly residing on Bakers Lane in Winsford, pleaded guilty to attempting to facilitate a sex offence on June 17 of that year. The court sentenced him to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to complete 35 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, Clark was required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for a period of 10 years, and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed. His mobile phone was also confiscated as part of the proceedings.

In delivering his sentence, Judge Aubrey made it clear that Clark’s actions warranted serious consequences, but he also acknowledged the circumstances of the case. Clark’s case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to protect vulnerable minors from exploitation.