NEIL COOPER FROM THATCHAM ESCAPES JAIL AFTER PAEDOPHILE HUNTER STING IN NEWPORT

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Neil Cooper, a 44-year-old man from Thatcham, narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment after being caught in a sting operation conducted by a paedophile hunter group and a television news crew in Newport.

The incident unfolded at a hotel in Newport, where Cooper had engaged in online conversations with individuals he believed to be minors. He had previously used an online chat platform to communicate with a member of PH Balance, a well-known paedophile hunter organization led by Nicholas Young. During these exchanges, Cooper claimed to be a 14-year-old girl, attempting to lure a minor into sexual activity.

Additionally, Cooper interacted with a 41-year-old woman who was also part of the PH Balance group. He had arranged to meet her at the Coldra’s Premier Inn in Newport, but his plans were thwarted when he was confronted by members of PH Balance and an ITV news crew. The operation was part of an undercover effort to catch individuals attempting to engage in illegal sexual activities with minors.

Prior to his arrest, Cooper had pleaded guilty to one count of inciting a girl aged between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity. He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, January 12, where the proceedings revealed disturbing details of his online conduct.

Prosecutor Heath Edwards outlined that Cooper, operating under the username ‘Mandrake 8473’, initiated contact with a decoy named ‘Olivia Jane 14’ on the platform ‘Chat Hour’. The court was informed that this profile was a decoy, a tactic employed by PH Balance to catch predators, involving an adult posing as a minor to identify and apprehend offenders.

Mr. Edwards explained that Cooper was encouraged to move the conversation from the public chat room to a private messaging app called Kick Messenger, similar to WhatsApp. It was during these private exchanges that the conversation took a sexual turn, with Cooper steering the dialogue toward explicit topics.

The court heard that Cooper was fully aware he was communicating with someone claiming to be a 14-year-old girl, confirming his age as 44. Messages exchanged included suggestions such as “Just drive out into the country. Just sit and kiss,” and even advice on performing sexual acts using a hairbrush handle. The conversations eventually faded out, but the evidence was enough to establish his intent.

Cooper’s arrest took place at the Newport hotel on Monday, November 13. He was confronted by members of PH Balance, the ITV crew, and Gwent Police officers. During the arrest, Cooper reportedly acknowledged that he was aware he was part of a sting operation.

In sentencing, Recorder Simon Mills highlighted that Cooper had moved the conversation toward sexual topics within just five hours of initiating contact with the decoy. The judge emphasized the significant age difference and Cooper’s clear motivation to engage in illegal activity, despite the risk of being caught.

While acknowledging Cooper’s apparent remorse and the “motivation to change” after facing the consequences, the court handed down a sentence of eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years. Additionally, Cooper was ordered to complete a 30-day rehabilitation program as part of a sexual harm prevention order. He was also required to pay costs amounting to £1,200, which are to be repaid over six months, along with a statutory surcharge.

Furthermore, Cooper will be registered as a sex offender for a period of ten years, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the ongoing need for monitoring and prevention.