ST AUSTELL MAN THOMAS FIGGITT CAUGHT IN CHILD SEX PREDATION ON KICK PLATFORM

A young man from St Austell, Thomas Figgitt, aged 24, has been found guilty of engaging in disturbing online conversations with a minor, involving sexual content and exploitation. The incident came to light after police investigations revealed that Figgitt had been actively attempting to lure a 13-year-old girl through social media platforms, specifically on the popular app Kick.

According to court proceedings held at Truro Crown Court on Friday, October 4, it was established that Figgitt had created multiple online profiles—three in total—and used these identities to initiate conversations with the young girl. He falsely claimed to be 18 years old, a tactic often employed by predators to appear closer in age to their intended victims. His goal was to establish a rapport and manipulate the girl into sharing explicit images or engaging in sexual discussions.

The court heard that the conversations initially started on the Kick platform but later moved to Snapchat, despite the girl informing him of her real age. Unbeknownst to Figgitt, he was communicating with an undercover police officer posing as a minor. During their exchanges, he sent explicit photographs of himself and explicitly requested sexually explicit images from the girl, believing she was only 13.

Law enforcement authorities tracked his IP address and physical location, leading to his arrest at his workplace in September 2022. During a search of his residence, police recovered two mobile phones. One of these devices, which was found under his pillow, contained 16 category C indecent images of children. Additionally, this phone held a highly disturbing video classified as extreme pornography, depicting a woman engaging in sexual acts with a dog.

Throughout police interviews, Figgitt chose not to comment. However, he later pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, possessing indecent images of a child, and possessing extreme pornographic material. His defense team argued that he had been overwhelmed with anxiety and remorse over the past two years, describing him as a naive individual who had drifted from adult conversations into engaging with undercover police officers.

His barrister emphasized that Figgitt, a resident of Tregonissey Road in St Austell, had sent pictures of himself and had requested images from the girl, though he received none. The defense also highlighted his regret and remorse, noting that he was employed at the time but had lost his job due to unrelated reasons. The lawyer expressed concern that his client’s future prospects might be severely limited due to his actions and that he was genuinely terrified of the possibility of imprisonment.

Judge Simon Carr addressed the court, condemning Figgitt’s actions as extremely serious and indicative of a disturbing sexual interest in children. He stated, “You went on Kick, a site used by children, to prey on children. You found someone who was 13, which was an undercover police officer. You continued that communication, sent pictures of yourself, and asked for pictures of someone you thought was 13. This would have continued if you had not been arrested. You have had time to reflect on what you did. You accept responsibility for your actions and accept that you need help to stop reoffending.”

As a result, Figgitt was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, with an additional requirement to complete 40 days of community activity. Furthermore, he was ordered to adhere to a five-year sexual harm prevention order and will be registered on the sex offenders register for the same duration. The court’s ruling underscores the gravity of his offenses and the ongoing importance of safeguarding children from online predators.