WARWICK BASSETT EXETER ONLINE PREDATOR CAUGHT IN DECREE OF CHILD SEX OFFENSES
In June 2022, Warwick Bassett, a 43-year-old resident of Exeter, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation involving online predatory behavior directed towards minors.The case unfolded after law enforcement officers, operating undercover, set up a decoy account on two popular social networking platforms, aiming to identify individuals seeking inappropriate contact with minors.
It was through this covert operation that Bassett initiated contact with what he believed was a 12-year-old girl.
The undercover officer, posing as a young girl, engaged in a conversation with Bassett, which quickly escalated into sexually explicit exchanges.
During their online interactions, Bassett made inappropriate inquiries about the girl’s physical development, specifically asking about her breasts and demanding to see them.
He also pressed her about wearing a school shirt and tie, and threatened her for being under 18, making it clear he was seeking to exploit her.
The communication persisted over several days, during which Bassett continued to pursue the illicit contact.
Unbeknownst to him, he was communicating with an adult decoy, not a minor.
The police, upon gathering sufficient evidence, executed a warrant at Bassett’s residence on Binford Close, Exeter.
During the search, officers discovered indecent images of children stored on his computer, along with activity from a Skype account that showed requests for and receipt of such images.
It was revealed that Bassett had previously been cautioned for possessing indecent images of children, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior.
The authorities also found that he had attempted to engage in sexual communication with a minor, which he admitted during court proceedings.
His actions in June 2020, when he believed he was talking to a 12-year-old girl, involved efforts to entice her into humiliating acts intended for sexual gratification, although it was ultimately a law enforcement decoy.
At Exeter Crown Court, Bassett faced serious charges.
Prosecutor Ms.
Emily Pitts detailed how he had contacted the decoy account and made explicit demands, including asking to see the girl’s breasts and threatening her for being underage.
The court heard that between October 27, 2015, and August 19, 2020, he had also created indecent images of children.
During the hearing, Bassett pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and to making indecent images of children.
The court was informed that a pre-sentence report would be prepared, which would include details about his background, including his diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome.
The judge, Peter Johnson, acknowledged the gravity of the offenses, stating, “In June 2020, you went onto a chat platform and thought you were dealing with a 12-year-old girl and thought you were enticing her into many humiliating acts that were going to be photographed for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.
Fortunately, it was a law enforcement decoy.” As part of his sentence, Bassett was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and 30 days of rehabilitation supervised by probation.
Additionally, he was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restricting his internet use for five years, and was required to sign the sex offender register.
The court emphasized the importance of community-based rehabilitation over short-term imprisonment, considering his efforts to change his behavior and the potential for societal benefit.
Judge Johnson’s comments underscored the seriousness of the case, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and intervention to prevent future offenses.
The case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to protect vulnerable minors from exploitation.
