PHILIP LANE OF FEATHERSTONE SENTENCED FOR ONLINE GROOMING AND SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In August 2023, a disturbing case emerged involving Philip Lane, a resident of Featherstone, who was found guilty of attempting to groom a young girl over social media and engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The incident highlights the ongoing dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts.

Lane, aged 56, had a troubling history of similar offences, which added gravity to his latest actions. The case unfolded when he targeted a 12-year-old girl through her Facebook profile, which was being monitored by an online predator hunting group known as London Overwatch. This group had set up a sting operation, allowing them to track and confront individuals attempting to exploit minors online.

Over a period of five days at the end of July, Lane engaged in persistent communication with the girl after sending her a friend request. During their conversations, he made inappropriate and alarming disclosures. He admitted to being “old enough to be her grandfather” and expressed concern that he could “get done” for talking to her, indicating awareness of the illegality of his actions. His messages grew increasingly disturbing as he revealed personal details, including that he was sleeping naked and had named his genitals ‘Sid’. He explicitly described his intentions to engage in sexual acts with her, even going so far as to send a photograph of his genitals. To reassure her, he claimed he would use a condom to prevent pregnancy.

Further, Lane attempted to justify his behaviour by suggesting that in some countries, children of her age are married, implying that it should be her choice whether to engage in sexual activity. His comments demonstrated a blatant disregard for her age and well-being, and his attempts to normalize such conduct.

His actions were ultimately exposed when paedophile hunters confronted him during a livestreamed meeting, which was broadcast over the internet. During the confrontation, Lane was arrested by authorities. In a bid to conceal evidence, he tried to hide his Samsung mobile phone. However, law enforcement officials recovered the device and charged him with attempting to incite a girl under 13 into sexual activity.

Philip Lane’s criminal record is extensive, with seven convictions encompassing 38 offences, many of which involve sexual offences against children over the internet. He was already on the sex offender register for life, underscoring the severity of his criminal history.

At Leeds Crown Court, Judge Andrew Stubbs KC sentenced Lane to four years in prison. In his remarks, the judge condemned Lane’s behaviour, stating, “You are a cliché for this offending and you’ve done it before. There are many people who sit behind their keyboards and fantasize about what they want to do. You were involved in inciting her into penetrative activity. You have done it before so it makes your offending much more serious.” The sentence reflects the serious nature of Lane’s crimes and the ongoing threat posed by individuals who exploit children online.