PETER BRAGG CAUGHT IN CARLISLE ONLINE GROOMING SCHEME
In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online predators, Peter James Bragg, a 34-year-old man from Carlisle, was recently apprehended after attempting to groom a minor through social media platforms.The incident unfolded over a span of three days in May of 2017, during which Bragg engaged in a series of inappropriate and illegal conversations with what he believed was a 15-year-old girl.
Unbeknownst to Bragg, he was actually communicating with a volunteer vigilante operating under the guise of a fake social media profile.
The profile was created by a mother from Carlisle, who used a photograph of her own adult daughter, with her permission, to simulate a teenage girl.
This operation was part of an organization called “Hunters,” which aims to expose potential online grooming activities by predators.
According to prosecutor Tim Evans, Bragg first initiated contact with the fake profile on the evening of May 11.
During their exchanges, he provided personal details that appeared accurate and even shared images of himself, including a video that showed him clothed and later revealed his face.
Interestingly, the clothing he wore in the video matched what he was wearing during his police interview, indicating consistency in his appearance.
Throughout the conversations, Bragg made numerous indecent proposals, expressing a desire to carry out sexual acts.
The court heard that the chat logs spanned approximately 100 pages, illustrating the extent of his engagement over the three days.
The messages repeatedly confirmed that he believed he was speaking to a 15-year-old girl, and the tone of the exchanges was consistent with predatory behavior.
Bragg’s criminal record includes 12 previous offences, although none involved sexual crimes.
His actions in this case, however, were deemed particularly serious.
At Carlisle Crown Court, Judge Peter Davies described Bragg’s conduct as “persistent,” emphasizing that his actions were deliberate and premeditated, aimed at grooming the young girl for sexual activity.
Bragg, who resides on Linton Street in Carlisle, was found guilty of two counts of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
He admitted to these charges, leading to his sentencing.
The judge sentenced him to 21 months in prison, underscoring the gravity of his misconduct and the threat posed to minors online.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community volunteers to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable individuals from predators.
