RICHARD BISHOP SENTENCED IN LEICESTER FOR ONLINE CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND ARREST AT FOSSE PARK

Update: Richard Bishop's release date is scheduled for December 22, 2017, with plans to move to the Hull area.

In July 2017, Bishop arranged to meet a young girl for sex at Fosse Park but was arrested before the meeting could occur.

The court heard that Richard Bishop, a 51-year-old man from Deer Acre, Loughborough, unknowingly communicated with an undercover police officer online while planning to meet a girl he believed was 12 years old. Bishop arrived at McDonald's in Fosse Park expecting to meet a paedophile with a daughter "ready and waiting to be abused," but he was promptly arrested upon arrival.

During the investigation, police found that Bishop had purchased underwear for the fictitious girl, which was located in the trunk of his car. A subsequent search of his home uncovered his computer, which contained access to child sexual abuse images.

Bishop pleaded guilty in May to attempting to arrange or facilitate a child sex offence. The court was told that his online communications included allegations of him having abused his own daughters and an 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome. He also inquired whether it would be acceptable to ejaculate into the supposed 12-year-old girl he intended to assault.

Additionally, Bishop admitted to downloading indecent images of children—specifically, 304 images categorized as A (the most serious), 174 in category B, and 267 in category C, all between January 17 and May 23.

Deputy Judge Michael Stokes QC commented on the case, stating, "You had the photographs in your possession prior to the events, when you went to meet this 12-year-old child who, fortunately, didn’t exist. I strongly suspect the greatest punishment that can befall you is the fact that it’s known by your family, friends, colleagues, and others who are aware of your actions. I believe the remorse you've shown to the probation officer is genuine."

He emphasized the seriousness of using social media and chat rooms to contact children, adding, "It seems to me that, had the child existed, there would have been some sexual contact, but how far it would have gone is uncertain. The fact you bought underwear for her and appeared at McDonald's indicates you went beyond some defendants who simply plead guilty to such matters."

Richard Bishop was arrested at the scene when he arrived at the designated meeting point. The judge noted that some of the child pornography involved the sexual abuse of infants.

Bishop’s actions also caused distress within his family, including his daughter, who was due to get married the following day. Describing the impact, the judge said, "I can understand her distress, but I do not believe the 50 days you have already spent on remand are sufficient."

Bishop was subsequently placed under a five-year sexual offences prevention order. Prosecutor John Hallissey described the investigation, revealing that the police officer involved first contacted Bishop through an internet chat room suspected of being used for child abuse exchanges.