Ex-Waitrose worker spared jail after grooming a 14-year-old decoy

A man named Simon Barnard has been involved in a grooming and sexual communication incident with a decoy posing as a 14-year-old girl. Barnard, 56, an ex-waitrose worker, admitted to having a sick attraction towards "borderline females" after sending messages via WhatsApp and Facebook inviting the girl to his house for wine and sexual activity. The sting operation took place on October 22 last year, initiated by paedophile hunters who posed as the girl. Barnard engaged in sexually explicit conversation despite being informed she was 14, asking her questions about self-pleasure and inviting her over. When police attended the location, Barnard, who had consumed approximately two bottles of wine, confessed by saying, “Yes, I am a stupid idiot.” He claimed to have no memory of the conversation, thinking she was a 30-year-old woman in his mind. Barnard pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months. The court also ordered him to complete rehabilitation days, a six-month alcohol treatment program, and a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, including digital device supervision. He is required to sign the sex offenders register for ten years.