ROGER MANNING FROM CULLOMPTON JAILED AFTER POLICE STING IN TORQUAY AND BRISTOL

In a significant case that highlights the ongoing efforts to combat online child exploitation, Roger Manning, a 43-year-old resident of Cullompton, has been sentenced to prison after being caught in a police operation that was initiated through a collaboration with a BBC Panorama documentary team.

Initially, the investigation began when the production crew at Panorama, which was conducting an undercover inquiry into online grooming and child abuse, shared their findings with the police authorities. This joint effort led to a sting operation targeting individuals attempting to engage in illegal sexual activities with minors via the internet.

As part of the operation, a 24-year-old production assistant from the BBC volunteered to pose as a teenage girl on the social networking platform Teenspot and in chatroom environments. The undercover agent adopted the persona of a young girl under 13 years old, creating a profile to attract potential offenders.

During the course of the investigation, the suspect, Manning, who was operating under the username 'swimcoach_3', initiated contact with the undercover agent. The Bristol Crown Court was informed that Manning believed he was communicating with a girl under the age of 13. He then proceeded to ask the young girl to engage in sexual activities, clearly indicating his intentions to exploit her.

The evidence collected by the Panorama team was handed over to the Metropolitan Police, who then collaborated with the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary to continue the operation. The police monitored Manning’s communications and plans, which culminated in him arranging to meet the girl at a McDonald's car park located within the Lowe’s Bridge Retail Park in Torquay for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

Law enforcement officers acted swiftly when Manning was about to send a text message to the supposed victim, alerting them to his intentions. Police officers swooped in at the designated location and arrested Manning before any contact could be made.

Following his arrest, Manning pleaded guilty to three charges under the Sexual Offences Act. These charges included two counts of inciting an underage girl to engage in sexual activity and one count of arranging to meet a minor for sexual purposes. The court proceedings revealed the extent of Manning’s predatory behavior and his deliberate attempts to exploit a minor.

Judge Julian Lambert sentenced Manning to an indeterminate prison term, with the possibility of parole after serving approximately eight and a half months. Additionally, Manning was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from accessing chatrooms, working with children, or spending time with anyone under the age of 16. His name has been entered onto the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Lambert emphasized that Manning’s offenses were committed as a result of his online predatory behavior, specifically targeting what he believed to be a young girl. The judge acknowledged the role of police efforts in preventing further harm, stating, “The good work of the police nipped your perverted desires in the bud and no harm was done.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting vulnerable minors from exploitation.