RICHARD SLADDIN CAUGHT IN HEBDEN BRIDGE SEX OFFENDER STING BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS

In April 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Richard Sladdin, a former professional cricketer with ties to Hebden Bridge, who was exposed as a predatory sex offender operating in secret. Sladdin, aged 48 at the time, had previously played for Derbyshire and Somerset during the 1990s, but his reputation was dramatically tarnished when he was caught in a sting operation organized by vigilant paedophile hunters.

Sladdin had been using an online dating platform, specifically the site 'LOVOO,' to communicate with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl named 'Claire.' His online activity began in February, when he initiated contact with the profile set up by concerned individuals posing as a young girl. The messages exchanged revealed his intentions, as he asked personal questions about her virginity and her interest in older men, clearly indicating his predatory motives.

According to prosecutor Andrew Mackintosh, the man behind the 'Claire' profile was concerned about the presence of paedophiles on the site and created a fake account to identify and catch offenders. On February 5th, the defendant, using the username 'Trickeydickey69,' contacted the profile. The conversation quickly turned explicit, with Sladdin asking if she was a virgin and if she was seeking a 'daddy.' The messages continued with him asking whether she wanted sex, where she lived, and whether she was on the contraceptive pill. He also requested her to obtain condoms, instructing her to keep their communication secret to avoid getting into trouble.

On February 11th, the confrontation took a dramatic turn. Sladdin arrived at a prearranged meeting spot in a car park, carrying a packet of crisps, an alcoholic drink, and a box of condoms. He was approached by the man who had set up the profile, who recognized him from the messages. The man questioned Sladdin about his presence there, to which he responded with vague answers. The hunter then showed him the incriminating messages, confirming his intent to meet a minor for sexual activity. Police were called immediately following the encounter.

Sladdin was taken into custody and gave a no-comment interview to the authorities. The entire confrontation was filmed on a mobile phone and subsequently posted online, where it quickly went viral, garnering over two million views. The widespread exposure led to significant hostility from the local community in Hebden Bridge, with his family also becoming targets of a hate campaign. The aftermath of the incident included the vandalism of his home and vehicle, further highlighting the community's outrage.

At Bolton Crown Court, Sladdin pleaded guilty to charges of sexual grooming and attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16. The court heard that he had been actively messaging the girl, asking if she was on the pill and requesting condoms, with the intention of engaging in sexual activity. Despite the fact that no child was physically at risk during the confrontation, the judge emphasized that Sladdin's actions demonstrated a clear intent to put a minor at risk. Judge Timothy Clayson sentenced him to 12 months in prison, underscoring the seriousness of internet-based sexual offenses and the need for custodial sentences in such cases.

Historically, Richard Sladdin's cricket career was brief and somewhat infamous. He played for Derbyshire from 1991 to 1994 but was dismissed after recording the worst bowling figures in the club's history, with 0-190. He later had a short stint with Somerset in 1997, marking the end of his First Class cricket career. In recent years, he had been playing cricket in a local league in the Hebden Bridge area, unaware that his past would resurface in such a shocking manner.