SIMARJIT SINGH FROM WILLENHALL AND TELFORD JAILED FOR GROOMING AT TELFORD KFC

In a case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and vigilant law enforcement efforts, Simarjit Singh, a resident of Squires Gate Road in Willenhall, was caught in a sting operation at a KFC restaurant in Trench, Telford. The incident took place in September of the previous year, when Singh believed he was meeting a 14-year-old girl for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

Singh, a business consultant, had responded to a fake online profile created by a group known as ‘Internet Interceptors,’ which was designed to lure individuals seeking illicit encounters with minors. The profile, under the name ‘Lucy,’ included a fabricated date of birth to appear as a teenage girl. Singh engaged in conversations of a sexual nature, which were described as crude and pornographic, and he even posted a pornographic video of himself online.

Police were alerted to Singh’s intentions when members of the vigilante group confronted him at the Trench KFC. During the confrontation, authorities found contraceptives in his black Audi, indicating his intent to engage in sexual activity. The group, operating under the name ‘Internet Interceptors,’ had set up the sting to catch individuals attempting to meet minors for sex.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court, Singh admitted to attempting to meet a child after sexual grooming. The court was informed that he had already served half of his sentence while in custody on remand and was expected to be released on licence shortly. Judge Anthony Lowe sentenced Singh to 12 months in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions. The judge also imposed a sexual harm prevention order and mandated that Singh register as a sex offender for the next ten years.

Prosecutor Mr. Robert Edwards detailed how Singh had responded to the fake profile with the clear intention of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. The conversations he engaged in were explicit, and his online activity included the posting of a pornographic video of himself. The planned meeting at Trench was set for September 3, with Singh believing he was about to meet a teenage girl for sex.

Singh’s case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community groups to combat online grooming and protect minors from exploitation. His arrest and subsequent sentencing serve as a warning to those who seek to abuse the trust of young people through digital platforms.