PATRICK MCKINNEY FROM HULL JAILED FOR GROOMING AND ATTEMPTED MEET WITH SCHOOLGIRL
In July 2019, a disturbing case unfolded in Hull involving Patrick McKinney, a 30-year-old man who attempted to meet a schoolgirl he had been grooming online.McKinney’s actions culminated in his arrest at Hull’s Paragon Interchange after he traveled there with the intent to engage in sexual activity with a girl he believed to be 14 years old.
McKinney had been actively grooming the girl through Facebook Messenger, where he initially made contact on January 2, 2018.
The conversation began with a casual greeting, with McKinney, who used the alias Steven, saying, “Hi hun, how are you?” The girl responded with a polite inquiry, “OK thanks.
Do I know you?” Over the following months, their exchanges became increasingly inappropriate, despite the girl’s repeated references to her age.
On May 22, 2018, McKinney discussed plans to meet her, suggesting she could travel by bus and asking her provocative questions such as, “Do you want to show me your hot body?” He also made explicit comments about sexual acts, mentioning using cream and ice-cream during intimacy and calling the girl “beautiful hun.” The discussions included details about how he would identify himself when meeting her, with plans to book a hotel room.
Initially, he considered the Village Hotel but later chose Fiveways due to cost concerns.
Throughout these conversations, McKinney showed little regard for the girl’s age, despite her indicating she was only 14.
His plans were ultimately thwarted when a vigilante group, known as paedophile hunters, caught up with him on May 27, 2018, at Hull’s Paragon Interchange.
The group confronted McKinney, who had been caught organizing to meet a minor for sexual activity.
During the confrontation, he even asked the girl to contribute financially towards the hotel room, which he had arranged.
The group members accused him of believing the age of consent was 18, which he did not deny.
Members of the group verbally assaulted him, calling him a “f*****g animal,” and warned him that they would hand him over to the police if he promised not to repeat his actions.
McKinney responded with a vague “I promise,” but was quickly detained by the vigilantes.
The footage of the incident shows him being led away by police officers outside St Stephen’s shopping centre.
During police interviews, McKinney initially refused to comment but later made limited admissions after being presented with the evidence.
He attempted to downplay his actions and motivations, showing little remorse.
The court heard that McKinney had previous convictions for harassment in 2012 and common assault in 2014.
At Hull Crown Court, McKinney pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to meet a child following grooming, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The judge emphasized that there was no doubt about the girl’s age in the profile and described McKinney’s conversations as “wholly unlawful.” He was sentenced to one year in prison, and the court ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years.
Additionally, McKinney was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from further harm.
