RAYMOND KING CAUGHT GROOMING IN KINGS LYNN BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS

In May 2021, a disturbing case unfolded in Kings Lynn involving Raymond King, a 69-year-old man who was caught attempting to groom what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. The incident was part of an operation conducted by a paedophile hunting group led by a former police officer, who had set up a decoy profile to catch potential offenders.

King, a resident of Russett Close in Kings Lynn, engaged in messaging with the decoy for approximately two months, during which he maintained daily contact, even while he was away on holiday. His persistent communication raised suspicions, leading to the eventual confrontation.

According to the court proceedings at Lynn Magistrates’ Court, King pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor between July 1 and September 17, 2020. Prosecutor Amy Bush detailed the extent of his misconduct, revealing that King was aware the decoy was a 14-year-old girl. During their exchanges, he sent explicit photographs of naked women and encouraged her to ask questions about sex, claiming he would answer honestly.

Miss Bush explained that King attempted to manipulate the decoy by suggesting that her friends were engaging in sexual activities and that she was the only one not involved. He also falsely claimed that girls as young as 14 sent him photographs, further demonstrating his predatory intent.

Additionally, the court heard that King directed the decoy to encrypted chat platforms, making it more difficult for authorities to monitor their conversations. The sting operation culminated when King parked his lorry for the night and was confronted by the former police officer, who was part of the decoy operation. The officer was present at the scene and called the police, leading to King’s arrest.

Following his arrest, King was remanded to appear at Norwich Crown Court for sentencing, with the date to be scheduled. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender within three days of the hearing. Bail was granted on the condition that he does not have any unsupervised contact with individuals under the age of 18. This case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community groups to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation.