SCARBOROUGH MAN STEVEN DRURY CAUGHT IN SEXUAL CHAT WITH FAKE TEEN GIRLS BY GEORDIE CATCHERS
In November 2019, a disturbing case unfolded involving Steven Drury, a 42-year-old resident of Scarborough, who was caught engaging in inappropriate and sexual communications with what he believed were two underage girls.The incident was uncovered by the vigilant efforts of the volunteer group known as the 'Geordie Catchers,' a team dedicated to identifying and apprehending internet child groomers.
Drury had initiated contact with the fictitious girls through social media platforms in July of the previous year.
Operating under the alias 'John,' he used a profile picture of a man approximately half his age, creating an illusion of youthfulness.
As the conversations progressed, he revealed his true identity and age, and when the girls claimed to be only 13 years old, Drury responded with indifference, stating he did not care about their age.
Prosecutor Harry Hadfield detailed to Teesside Crown Court that the interactions quickly turned sexual in nature.
Over the course of a week, Drury maintained communication with both fake girls simultaneously, asking them to meet him in person.
Despite his persistent efforts, no actual meeting ever materialized.
During these exchanges, he falsely claimed to be a fireman who loved one of the girls and expressed a desire for her to be his girlfriend.
He also sent explicit images of male genitalia to both girls and requested 'dirty pictures' in return.
In one exchange, he told one of the fictitious girls, 'Can we meet today?
It’ll be our secret… I’ll find another girl if you don’t want to meet and let me be dirty with you.' He also expressed a desire to have sex with her in graphic terms and even instructed her on how to search for pornography and perform sexual acts.
When reminded of the girls' ages, he responded with a nonchalant 'I know.' Further conversations involved him asking to meet another girl, stay at his place, and engage in sexual activity.
His messages included explicit instructions and flirtatious comments, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory intent.
During his arrest in November, Drury produced a knife, claiming it was hidden under his bed, and admitted to his online activities but denied any plans to meet or arrange a physical encounter with the girls.
He faced multiple charges, including two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, and attempted grooming—all of which took place in Middlesbrough.
Notably, these were his first sexual offenses, although he had a lengthy criminal record comprising 28 previous convictions for burglary, theft, battery, and arson.
Judge Peter Armstrong addressed Drury in court, emphasizing the severity of his actions.
He stated, 'The chat was of a sexual nature, or a quite appalling kind, and involved serious sexual offending, had it been real.
Had you attended at a meeting intending to have sex with a 13-year-old, even if she didn’t really exist, you would have been going to prison straight away.' The judge noted that Drury's behavior remained in the realm of fantasy, which prevented a custodial sentence.
However, he acknowledged the need for intervention, citing the pre-sentence report that highlighted Drury's distorted thinking and the necessity for psychological assistance.
As part of his sentence, Drury was handed a one-year prison term, suspended for two years, and ordered to participate in a sex offender treatment program along with 30 days of rehabilitation activities.
Additionally, he was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his contact and communication with children, his use of the internet, devices, and images of children.
He is also required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and is barred from working with children in any capacity.
