SAMIR RIGNALL CAUGHT IN CARDIFF PAEDOPHILE HUNT AT HEREFORD RAILWAY STATION
In a disturbing case that highlights the ongoing dangers posed by online predators, Samir Rignall, a 46-year-old man from Cardiff, was apprehended after falling victim to a sting operation conducted by a vigilant paedophile hunting group.The incident took place at Hereford railway station, where Rignall had traveled with the apparent intention of meeting a girl he believed to be 14 years old for sexual activity.
According to court reports, Rignall arrived at the station carrying a bag filled with items including a tent, a duvet, and various sex toys, indicating his intent to engage in sexual acts.
The operation was orchestrated by David Poole, a self-proclaimed paedophile hunter who runs the group H Division.
Poole had set up the trap by posting details online, creating a fake profile of a teenage girl on an over-18s dating website, which Rignall believed he was communicating with.
The court heard that Rignall had a prior conviction from Cardiff Crown Court in February 2011, where he received a six-year prison sentence for abducting and engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.
Despite this, he was subject to a sexual offences prevention order that prohibited him from making contact with minors via the internet.
However, Rignall managed to access a website for adults under the alias 'Phil' and continued to communicate with the fake teenage girl, who revealed herself to be 14.
Despite knowing her age, Rignall persisted in their conversations, which became increasingly explicit, culminating in him suggesting they meet up.
Adding to the sinister nature of the case, a second girl was introduced into the conversation as her friend, and Rignall was encouraged to bring her along for what he described as a 'threesome.' The court was told that Rignall traveled from Cardiff to Hereford on March 4, expecting to meet the girl at the station.
Instead, he was met by Poole, who confronted him and immediately called the police.
Rignall was arrested on the spot.
Prosecutor Paul Whitfield emphasized the clear intent behind Rignall’s actions, stating, “His intention was plain.
He intended to have sex with a child.” Rignall, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming, attempting to incite sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, breaching his sexual offences prevention order, and failing to notify authorities of his internet usage.
During sentencing, Judge Robert Juckes, QC, remarked on the nature of the case, noting that Rignall believed he was going to meet a girl for sexual offences he had discussed in their online conversations.
The judge pointed out that Rignall had been set up by the person who met him at the station, emphasizing the manipulative aspect of the sting.
The judge also highlighted the danger Rignall posed, stating, “You are in the grip of a sexual urge you cannot control.
You represent a risk of real harm to children.” Although the case was unusual in that no actual child was involved, the charges were considered attempts, which influenced the severity of the sentence.
Rignall was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, with an extended license period of three years to follow.
In a related incident from April 2017, another individual was caught in a similar sting at Hereford railway station.
This involved a man who sent explicit texts to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl and arrived at the station with a bag of sex toys, intending to meet her.
The man, identified as Samir Rignall, was confronted by Poole, who had been communicating with him for several weeks.
Poole described how Rignall had boasted about having five teenage partners and expressed no concern about the girl’s age.
Footage from the sting shows Rignall, dressed in a bright red coat and flat cap, walking outside the station before being approached by police and arrested.
Poole recounted that Rignall had tried to deny his intentions but was caught with a tent, vibrators, and a rucksack full of sex toys.
Rignall admitted to attempting to meet a girl under 16 and inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, among other charges, and is awaiting sentencing.
Poole, who founded the H Division group after his own son was targeted online, expressed concern over the incident, warning authorities about the risks of such traps.
He recounted how Rignall had engaged in nearly four weeks of online conversations, insisting that age was not a concern for him and attempting to expedite a meeting.
Poole’s efforts in exposing such predators underscore the ongoing need for vigilance and community action against online sexual exploitation.
