TRISTAN BRADSHAW SENTENCED IN HULL FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING FAKE 14-YEAR-OLD ONLINE
In a case that highlights the dangers of online predation and the importance of safeguarding minors, Tristan Bradshaw, a 23-year-old resident of the New Bridge Road area in east Hull, was brought before Hull Crown Court to face serious charges related to his inappropriate online conduct.Bradshaw’s actions came to light after he believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl through social media.
However, it was revealed that the account he was messaging was actually operated by a group of paedophile hunters, who had set up the profile to catch individuals attempting to engage in sexual conversations with minors.
This deception was part of an online protection operation aimed at preventing child exploitation.
Despite having been explicitly warned in the past not to contact children, Bradshaw, under the influence of heavy spirits, brazenly attempted to initiate contact with what he thought was a young girl.
The court heard that he had previously been subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order, which was issued in November 2019 following a conviction for exposure.
Nevertheless, on December 30, Bradshaw sent a friend request on Facebook to the fake profile, followed by two brief messages simply saying “Hey!” Unaware that the account was a trap, Bradshaw continued his pursuit by sending sexually explicit messages.
On three separate occasions, he even transmitted short videos, each lasting six seconds, depicting him engaging in sexual acts.
He also tried to persuade the fake girl to video call him while he was performing these acts, demonstrating a clear intent to engage in sexual activity.
Further messages suggested that he was interested in having sex at his home, indicating a serious breach of the previous court order.
The conversations concluded on January 3, after which the online protection group contacted law enforcement authorities.
The police swiftly arrested Bradshaw, who chose not to comment during the police interview.
Prosecutor Ayman Khokhar emphasized the gravity of the breach, stating, “It's a very serious breach of the order.
The harm and the risk was very serious.” The court was informed that Bradshaw’s conduct represented a significant violation of the restrictions placed upon him.
During mitigation, Rachel Scott explained that Bradshaw had been struggling with personal issues, which led him to seek inappropriate relationships online.
She noted that he had used alcohol as a coping mechanism, which may have impaired his memory of the events.
“He doesn’t remember this offending,” she said, adding that Bradshaw acknowledged the messages originated from his account and that he had stopped this conduct.
Bradshaw, who previously worked in a supermarket, had been held in custody on remand for two months prior to sentencing.
His legal representative acknowledged the seriousness of the case, stating, “He accepts that he is looking down the barrel of a significant custodial sentence.” Judge Alexander Menary addressed Bradshaw directly, condemning his actions: “You were in sexual communication with a profile that was an adult posing as a 14-year-old child.
You knew that this person was purporting to be 14 because they said so at the outset and you engaged in sexual communication with them throughout that time.
You very quickly engaged in sexual communication with them.” As a result, Bradshaw was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
Additionally, he was handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and is required to register as a sex offender for the next decade, underscoring the court’s commitment to protecting vulnerable minors from similar threats in the future.
