PATRICK EGAN FROM PLYMOUTH SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND THREATS INVOLVING FIREARMS IN PLYMOUTH

Patrick Egan, a resident of Plymouth, has been sentenced to a prison term of 13 months following his conviction on serious charges related to online grooming and threats involving firearms. In addition to his imprisonment, Egan has been ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, a measure that underscores the gravity of his offenses.

The case against Egan dates back to 2020 when authorities from the UK database and Totnes Justice Devon Division conducted a targeted operation at his residence in Plymouth. During this operation, law enforcement officials confronted Egan over allegations of grooming behavior directed at what he believed to be multiple young girls he had been communicating with online. It was reported that Egan repeatedly claimed to the girls that he possessed numerous firearms stored in his house, a boast he reinforced by sending selfies that purportedly showed these weapons.

At the time, Egan was arrested, charged with various offenses, and subsequently released on bail the following day. However, he failed to appear for subsequent proceedings and subsequently went into hiding, evading law enforcement authorities for nearly five years. It was only last week that police managed to locate and arrest him, leading to his appearance before Plymouth Crown Court. During the court hearing, Egan pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him, including the allegations of grooming, threats, and possession of weapons. His sentencing is scheduled for April 29th at the same court.

Revisiting the events from 2020, it was revealed that Egan, then residing on Plymstock Road in Plymouth and formerly from Kent, had engaged in disturbing online interactions with several girls aged 13 and 14. From the outset of these conversations, Egan sent sexually explicit messages and even shared explicit images and videos of himself. His behavior took a darker turn when he requested indecent images from the girls, who claimed their cameras were broken. Egan responded with aggressive and threatening messages, warning that he would hunt them down and shoot them if they did not comply.

Further evidence showed that Egan sent multiple images of himself holding guns, knives, and catapults capable of firing ball bearings, proudly declaring himself a 'bad man' and warning the girls not to mess with him. He also shared a photograph of a large quantity of cocaine in his house, attempting to entice the girls further into his dangerous world. At that time, Egan was already on bail for previous offenses, including criminal damage, assault by beating, and actual bodily harm inflicted on two women. This prompted law enforcement to take immediate action.

Members of the UK database and Totnes Justice team arrived at Egan’s residence in Plymouth to carry out surveillance, which confirmed his presence inside. When they knocked on his door, Egan refused to come out and instead retreated to his bedroom. Recognizing the potential danger, the team contacted police, informing them of the weapons and firearms Egan had boasted about, including at least one confirmed to be real. Armed police units responded to the scene, and after reviewing the evidence, they confirmed the presence of a firearm. Due to safety concerns, the team was advised to withdraw from the scene.

Law enforcement officers then executed a warrant, arresting Egan and removing him from the property through the back garden. During the raid, authorities seized various weapons, some drugs, and electronic equipment used for internet communications. The operation was supported by a decoy, Shell Sandy from Predator Closure, whose detailed chat logs played a crucial role in the investigation and helped build the case against Egan. The entire operation highlighted the serious nature of Egan’s actions and the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable individuals from online predators and violent threats in Plymouth.