STUART SPRING, CAMDEN PAEDOPHILE, ATTEMPTED TO HIRE HITMAN TO KILL GIRL IN NORTH LONDON

In November 2002, it was revealed that Stuart Spring, a 33-year-old paedophile from Camden, North London, attempted to hire a hitman to murder a nine-year-old girl whom he blamed for his incarceration. Spring, who is currently serving a four-year sentence for indecent assault, appeared at the Old Bailey to admit to trying to arrange her killing.

Spring carried out his sinister plan from inside Pentonville Prison, where he was imprisoned. He expressed a desire to read about the girl's body being found "in woodland somewhere." Unbeknownst to him, the 'hitman' he contacted was actually an undercover police officer recording his instructions.

He offered to pay between approximately £7,000 and £10,000 for the murder, and even provided a newspaper clipping showing a photo of schoolchildren on a summer scheme, with the girl’s face circled. Spring, described as pale, chubby, and dressed in a tracksuit, remained silent during his court appearance except to confirm his identity.

He was remanded until December 16 for psychiatric evaluations and sentencing reports.

Authorities became aware of Spring’s murderous intent after he boasted to fellow inmates about the assault on the girl in 2000, when she was only eight. He disclosed details of the sexual abuse and his wish to see her dead, police stated. His discussions began shortly after he arrived at Pentonville following his 2001 conviction at Snaresbrook Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to indecent assault.

This information prompted police in Camden to take immediate protective measures for the girl and her family. In Operation Medcalf, an undercover officer, known only as Joe, posed as a hitman "friend of a friend" and met with Spring at Pentonville, establishing clear intent from their initial meeting to carry out the murder.

Commander Dave Armond of the Metropolitan Police’s Serious Crime Group detailed the case: "Spring sought to persuade the undercover officer to murder the girl, stating that he would like to read about her body being discovered in woodland somewhere. During the meetings, Spring used graphically descriptive terms such as wanting the girl ‘terminated’ and ‘erased’." He added that Spring also sent letters, including a newspaper clipping with the girl’s photo and her head circled.

Mr. Armond emphasized, "Stuart Spring has pleaded guilty to the abhorrent crime of soliciting the murder of a nine-year-old girl who was already a victim of a horrific assault by him."

Spring, unemployed and with prior convictions for burglary and robbery, was arrested at Pentonville on May 14, 2002, and taken to a police station in North London, where he remained silent during interviews. He was charged with soliciting to murder the girl between March 26 and April 26 of the same year.

The police noted that Spring blamed her for his imprisonment, feeling "quite safe" speaking to the undercover officer. He reportedly planned to finance the killing with money kept by a relative, who was unaware of its intended use.

This covert operation involved collaboration among various public protection agencies, the Met’s Murder Suppression Team, and senior officers like Detective Chief Inspector Mark Jackson. Mr. Armond highlighted the importance of information sharing based on confidentiality and joint effort, stating, "The Metropolitan Police Service is totally committed to partnership working and this case is an excellent example of how such arrangements ensure the most dangerous individuals are brought to justice."