RHYS SEYMOUR FROM WALMERSLEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD LURE ATTEMPTS IN WOODS

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Walmersley, a young man named Rhys Seymour, aged 19, has been sentenced to prison for his predatory actions aimed at young children. The incidents took place in Clarence Park, a local recreational area, where Seymour was observed attempting to entice two children into the woods with the promise of money.

On the dates of May 3 and May 8, Seymour approached two youngsters, aged 7 and 8, offering them cash with the explicit intent of persuading them to 'play games in the woods.' Fortunately, the children displayed quick thinking and refused his advances, choosing instead to run away from the scene. Importantly, they were not physically harmed during these encounters, but the potential danger posed by Seymour's actions was significant.

Following these incidents, local authorities launched a thorough investigation. Seymour was promptly identified and arrested by police officers. During the investigation, authorities uncovered that Seymour possessed multiple images of child abuse on his mobile phone, further highlighting the severity of his criminal behavior.

Today, Seymour was formally sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges. These included two counts of child abduction, one count of attempted child abduction, and 24 counts of possessing indecent images. In addition to his prison sentence, Seymour was subjected to a lifetime sexual offences prevention order, which aims to restrict his activities and protect the community from further harm. He will also be registered on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.

Detective Constable Dave Looby commented on the case, emphasizing the dangerous nature of Seymour's actions. He stated, “Seymour was predatory in his actions, waiting for an opportunity to lure his victims into wooded areas away from the gaze of their family members. Luckily the children were clever enough to run away before Seymour was able to cause them any harm, but that should not take anything away from the seriousness of these offences.”

Furthermore, authorities are actively working to enhance safety measures within the community. Officers from the local neighbourhood policing teams are collaborating with nearby schools to reinforce the importance of children understanding ‘stranger danger’ and to establish clear channels for reporting suspicious behavior. The community’s safety remains a top priority as efforts continue to prevent similar incidents in the future.