PHILIP GRACE CAUGHT IN MILTON KEYNES CHILD PREDATOR STING

In July 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Philip Grace, an unemployed man from Milton Keynes, who was ultimately convicted of serious sexual offences against minors. The incident came to light after an operation conducted by online child protection teams, revealing Grace’s disturbing intentions and actions.

Grace appeared at Aylesbury Crown Court to face charges related to his online predatory behavior. The court was informed that he had engaged in conversations with what he believed to be multiple young girls, engaging in highly explicit and inappropriate chat messages. His goal appeared to be pressuring these girls into engaging in sexual activities, as he repeatedly asked about their virginity and insisted on arranging meetings for sexual encounters.

According to court records, Grace’s persistent efforts culminated in him agreeing to meet one of the girls. However, the meeting was a trap set by child protection authorities. When Grace arrived at the designated meeting spot, he was confronted by members of 'The Guardian Angels' (TGA), an online child protection team that had been monitoring his activities.

During questioning, Grace shockingly disclosed that he had planned to take the girl into nearby woods for sexual purposes. Authorities found that he was carrying a tent, indicating his intent to carry out the assault. It was later revealed that Grace had contacted three different girls online, all of whom were actually profiles created by the child protection teams. Two of these profiles were managed by Decoy Central, and one was from ‘Parental Online Protection,’ all designed to simulate 13-year-old girls.

Following the confrontation, the team contacted the police, leading to Grace’s arrest. The court proceedings resulted in a severe sentence, with Grace being sentenced to seven years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register, marking a significant step in safeguarding the community from potential future harm.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of child protection agencies to combat online predation and the importance of vigilant monitoring to prevent such crimes from occurring.