PATRICK HORAN CAUGHT IN BURNLEY POLICE STING AFTER PREDATORY ONLINE MESSAGES TO 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Burnley, a father of three, Patrick John Horan, was apprehended following a police operation targeting online child exploitation.The incident unfolded in March 2016, when Horan believed he was engaging in a conversation with a 12-year-old girl on the messaging platform Kik.
Unbeknownst to him, he was actually communicating with an undercover police officer.
According to court proceedings at Burnley Crown Court, the police had set up an operation where an officer posed as a young girl named Kayla in a public chat room.
From the very beginning of their interaction, Kayla made it clear to Horan that she was only 12 years old.
Despite this, Horan continued the conversation, which quickly took a disturbing turn.
Prosecutor Emma Keogh detailed that Horan asked Kayla whether she had ever performed sexual acts on herself and if she had viewed pornography.
The court was informed that Horan inquired whether she was wearing underwear and even requested a photograph of her with her knickers on.
The following day, the communication between Horan and the undercover officer intensified as they exchanged phone numbers, and the conversation moved to Skype.
During this exchange, Horan explicitly asked the girl to perform sexual acts and directed her to pornography websites where she could learn how to do so.
These exchanges revealed a clear intent to exploit and groom the minor for sexual purposes.
Horan’s actions culminated on March 15, when he was arrested at his place of employment after sending a message to the girl proposing a meeting for sexual intercourse.
The police intervened at this point, motivated by the fact that Horan had a daughter of a similar age, raising concerns about the potential risk to his own child.
During the investigation, authorities seized two mobile phones from Horan’s possession.
However, there was no evidence suggesting he had communicated with other children besides the girl involved in the sting.
During the court hearing, Horan’s defense attorney, Rachel Cooper, expressed remorse and confusion over his actions.
She stated that Horan was “completely disgusted with himself” and was struggling to understand how he had committed these offenses.
Cooper emphasized that Horan was aware of the hurt his actions could cause to his family, including his children, and that he had even spoken with his 13-year-old daughter about the possibility of imprisonment.
Horan ultimately pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to engage a child in sexual activity and attempting to cause a child to watch sexual activity.
The court sentenced him to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of 10 years and was placed under a five-year sexual harm prevention order.
Judge Beverley Lunt addressed the court, noting that Horan, at 30 years old, was previously considered a man of good character.
However, she condemned his conduct as “disgusting,” especially given his belief that he was communicating with a young girl, which made his actions all the more reprehensible.
