EXETER SEX OFFENDER TONY BRADBURY CAUGHT IN FACEBOOK PLOT AT MAIN RAILWAY STATION
In June 2013, authorities in Exeter revealed that they are concerned there may be additional victims of Tony Bradbury, a convicted sex offender who has been behind bars since his sentencing earlier that year.Bradbury, aged 41 and residing on Whitchurch Avenue in Exeter, was sentenced to a total of three years and ten months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple serious charges involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
His crimes came to light after a detailed investigation into his online activities, which uncovered disturbing evidence of grooming and sexual abuse.
The police's child exploitation unit confirmed that Bradbury had engaged in inappropriate online conversations with a girl he believed to be 13 years old, whom he contacted via Facebook.
The investigation was initiated after police set up a covert operation, during which a female officer posed as a teenage girl named Holly James to lure him into incriminating exchanges.
Following the online grooming, Bradbury arranged to meet the girl at Exeter’s main railway station, intending to carry out a sexual act.
However, law enforcement was waiting for him at the scene, and he was promptly arrested upon arrival.
A subsequent search of his residence revealed a disturbing collection of indecent images, including photographs of seven different girls, along with hundreds of other pornographic pictures.
Among the material seized was a digital camera containing explicit photos of a 15-year-old girl posing in underwear and exposing her breasts and private parts.
Prosecutor Edward Hetherington detailed the extent of Bradbury’s misconduct, stating that he had asked multiple girls on social networking sites to send sexually explicit images of themselves.
In one instance, he requested a girl to strip and perform sex acts on herself.
Bradbury admitted to 22 charges related to sexual activity with a minor, possession and distribution of indecent images, and inciting pornography.
He also confessed to attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex after grooming her online.
During the court proceedings, Judge Erik Salomonsen expressed concern over the nature of Bradbury’s offenses, emphasizing the need to understand what motivated his actions before sentencing.
The judge highlighted that Bradbury had previously been in contact with police, who had launched the covert operation to apprehend him.
The judge noted, “He had a 15-year-old naked in his bedroom,” and that his conduct involved multiple instances of sexual activity with a minor, raising serious concerns about potential future harm.
Bradbury, who has no prior criminal record, was remanded in custody and a probation report has been ordered.
The court’s investigation continues, as authorities urge any other potential victims to come forward and assist in ensuring that justice is fully served.
