NICHOLAS TARBARD AND HIS SHOCKING ATTEMPT TO MEET 11-YEAR-OLD IN MANCHESTER
A concerning case of online predation unfolded in Manchester when Nicholas Tarbard, a man with a troubling history, was found attempting to engage in a sexual encounter with an 11-year-old girl at a local crematorium.The incident highlights the ongoing dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance among parents and guardians.
On a day that would take a disturbing turn, Tarbard arrived at Macclesfield Crematorium, supposedly to meet the young girl he had been communicating with online.
According to evidence presented during the trial, he carried with him a variety of weapons and items suggesting intent to harm or facilitate illegal activity, including a hunting knife, a screwdriver, two pairs of scissors, sex toys, and a condom.
These items were seized by police during his arrest, reflecting his preparedness and potentially malicious intent.
Tarbard, who is 35 years old and has no fixed address, was in communication with what he believed were three girls aged 11, 12, and 13.
These conversations took a highly disturbing turn as he discussed sexual topics, requested explicit images from the minors, and even sent indecent images of himself in return.
Despite his communications with multiple girls, he was unaware that he had been targeted by paedophile hunters operating undercover.
These online decoys succeeded in luring Tarbard into a trap by impersonating young girls and engaging him in conversation.
The day of the planned meeting, July 18th, 2021, turned into a confrontation with law enforcement.
As Tarbard awaited at the crematiorium, he was approached by the decoys, who promptly called the police.
Officers from Cheshire Constabulary responded to the scene and conducted a search of Tarbard.
During the questioning process, he chose to answer 'no comment' to all questions, including those about messages he had sent to the decoys.
Following his arrest, Tarbard was charged with several serious offences, including attempting to engage in illegal sexual communications with a child, attempting to arrange a child sex offence, and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
His court appearance at Chester Crown Court resulted in a guilty plea, leading to a sentence of four years imprisonment alongside a further four years on licence.
In addition to his prison sentence, Tarbard received orders that will keep him under strict supervision for an indefinite period.
He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register permanently and was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, reflecting the authorities' determination to monitor and restrict his activities moving forward.
Detective Constable Jamie Roberts, who led the investigation, emphasized the seriousness of the case: "Tarbard is an extremely dangerous individual who was intent on sexually assaulting young girls.
Thanks to the diligent work of the decoys, we were able to arrest and interrogate him.
Although he answered 'no comment' to all questions, the evidence against him was compelling." He further reiterated the importance of awareness and safeguarding: "While Tarbard was communicating with what he believed to be young girls, these could very well have been innocent children at risk.
I want to remind parents and guardians of the critical need to educate children about online safety and the potential dangers lurking on the internet." This case underscores the persistent threat posed by online predators and the vital role that vigilant communities and law enforcement play in protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation.
