PAEDOPHILE'S COVER STORY DIDN'T STOP HIM FROM BEING CAUGHT
An online predator involved in child sex abuse claimed to police that he was a 'paedophile hunter'.Rhys Meikle, who resides in Openshaw, Manchester, was active as a prolific online sex offender before he was apprehended.
However, authorities stated that this was a false explanation he used as a 'cover story' in case he was caught.
He was found to be distributing and exchanging some of the most repulsive child sexual abuse content with other offenders, according to detectives.
In May 2024, police conducted a raid on his residence in Openshaw following intelligence reports indicating the online sharing of indecent images of children.
During the operation, he was detained, and his electronic devices were confiscated for further analysis.
He was subsequently bailed.
Nonetheless, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit reported that he committed additional crimes while on bail, including engaging with another individual online to share inappropriate images and videos of children and attempting to facilitate their sexual abuse.
Detective Constable Adam Cronshaw from the NWROCU's Internet Child Abuse Team said: "There is no legal justification for possessing or distributing indecent images of children, even for legitimate online child abuse hunter groups.
Behind every image and video shared by Meikle is a child victim of sexual abuse.
"Meikle was operating as a prolific paedophile online, distributing and trading the most abhorrent child sexual abuse material with other sex offenders.
"He also attempted to arrange the abuse of young children so he could obtain first generation images to sell on a website.
His claim of being a paedophile hunter was not credible and is believed to be a cover story in case he was ever caught." Meikle, aged 31 and without a fixed residence, was sentenced to four years in prison by Manchester Crown Court on Thursday.
He admitted to charges involving the arrangement or facilitation of child sexual offences, as well as the creation and distribution of indecent images of children.
In addition to his prison term, he was issued an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and mandated to remain on the sex offender register for life.
During the same court session, police revealed that Meikle also received an additional four-year sentence after being convicted of drug-related offences, which stemmed from a separate investigation carried out by Greater Manchester Police.
Detective Sergeant Chee Chan, from GMP’s Response Police Unit D Relief, called Meikle 'a dangerous individual'who who ran a drug dealing operation while distributing and trading child sexual abuse material for money.
"In an attempt to evade justice, he falsely portrayed himself as a 'paedophile hunter' despite the overwhelming evidence against him," he added.
"His imprisonment removes a significant threat from our communities, safeguarding children and protecting the public from further harm."
