FEATHERSTONE MAN PHILIP STABLER CAUGHT IN ONLINE PAEDOPHILE STING IN LEEDS
| Red Rose Database
Featherstone Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers lurking on the internet, Philip Stabler, a 64-year-old resident of Featherstone, was caught in a sting operation conducted by an online paedophile hunter group. The incident unfolded when Stabler initiated contact with what he believed was a young girl on a dating website, only to discover that he was communicating with members of the group Angels of Innocence, who were actively working to expose sex predators seeking minors online.
According to court proceedings, Stabler had no suspicion that the profile he was engaging with was a decoy designed to catch individuals like himself. The group had set up a fake profile portraying a 13-year-old girl, and it was this profile that Stabler reached out to in February 2020. Over the course of their online exchanges, he expressed a desire to develop a relationship, telling the decoy that he wanted to speak with her daily and explicitly asked her not to tell her family or friends about their conversations.
The situation took a more disturbing turn when Stabler's messages became sexual in nature. He sent explicit images and videos of himself masturbating to the decoy, further crossing boundaries that are legally and morally unacceptable. The conversation clearly indicated his intent to engage in sexual activity with a minor, which led to his subsequent arrest by law enforcement authorities.
During police interviews, Stabler claimed that his intentions were innocent, stating that he was simply trying to find a girlfriend. However, he was charged with serious offenses, including intentionally inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and intentionally causing a child to watch a sexual act. His actions were deemed highly inappropriate and criminal.
At Leeds Crown Court, prosecutor Richard Walters outlined the details of the case, emphasizing the gravity of Stabler's conduct. His defense barrister, Shila Whitehead, did not offer any mitigation for his actions. The presiding judge, Judge Christopher Batty, acknowledged the seriousness of the offenses but decided against sending Stabler to prison. Instead, he was sentenced to a six-month jail term, which was suspended for 18 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offense within that period.
Furthermore, Stabler was subjected to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his internet usage to prevent further offenses. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for seven years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community groups to protect minors from online predators.
According to court proceedings, Stabler had no suspicion that the profile he was engaging with was a decoy designed to catch individuals like himself. The group had set up a fake profile portraying a 13-year-old girl, and it was this profile that Stabler reached out to in February 2020. Over the course of their online exchanges, he expressed a desire to develop a relationship, telling the decoy that he wanted to speak with her daily and explicitly asked her not to tell her family or friends about their conversations.
The situation took a more disturbing turn when Stabler's messages became sexual in nature. He sent explicit images and videos of himself masturbating to the decoy, further crossing boundaries that are legally and morally unacceptable. The conversation clearly indicated his intent to engage in sexual activity with a minor, which led to his subsequent arrest by law enforcement authorities.
During police interviews, Stabler claimed that his intentions were innocent, stating that he was simply trying to find a girlfriend. However, he was charged with serious offenses, including intentionally inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and intentionally causing a child to watch a sexual act. His actions were deemed highly inappropriate and criminal.
At Leeds Crown Court, prosecutor Richard Walters outlined the details of the case, emphasizing the gravity of Stabler's conduct. His defense barrister, Shila Whitehead, did not offer any mitigation for his actions. The presiding judge, Judge Christopher Batty, acknowledged the seriousness of the offenses but decided against sending Stabler to prison. Instead, he was sentenced to a six-month jail term, which was suspended for 18 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offense within that period.
Furthermore, Stabler was subjected to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his internet usage to prevent further offenses. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for seven years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community groups to protect minors from online predators.