WAYNE PRICE FROM BARRY CAUGHT TRYING TO MEET 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL AT BARRY RAILWAY STATION
In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and vigilant community efforts, Wayne Price, a 35-year-old man from Barry, was apprehended after attempting to meet what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl at Barry railway station.The incident took place in late 2017 and early 2018, culminating in his arrest and subsequent court proceedings.
According to court records, Price was actively communicating with an online profile created by a Swansea-based paedophile hunting group.
The group had set up a fictitious profile on Meet4u, portraying a young girl named Cassie, who was supposedly 14 years old and living in Swansea.
The group’s members engaged with Price, who approached the profile on December 4, 2017, expressing explicit interest by stating he was “horny.” Rachel Knight, prosecuting, explained that the group’s members had been monitoring Price’s online activity during November and December of the previous year.
During their interactions, Price revealed his real name and sent a video of himself performing a sexual act, despite the fact that “Cassie” repeatedly emphasized her age.
This behavior was part of a grooming process, which ultimately led to the planned meeting at Barry Island and Barry railway station.
Price had initially arranged to meet the fictitious girl at Barry railway station but failed to appear.
Following this, he made further arrangements to meet her at Cadoxton station, which was part of the group’s sting operation.
It was at this point that Price was detained by the paedophile hunting group, who promptly contacted the police.
Officers arrived at the scene and found him in possession of two condoms, which they seized along with his mobile phone.
Further investigation of Price’s phone revealed that he had been communicating with two other children, although it remains unclear whether these were real children or decoys used by the group.
During police interviews, Price admitted to attempting to cause a child to watch sexual activity and to grooming a child with the intent to meet her for sexual purposes.
He also confessed to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Price pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to communicate sexually with a child, related to the interactions with the other two girls.
The court was informed that he had a criminal record with seven previous convictions, including burglary and theft.
It was also noted that he had traveled from Worcester to attend the hearing, seeking a plea deal and a chance for a fresh start.
Despite these efforts, Judge Christopher Vosper QC emphasized the seriousness of the offences and sentenced Price to 40 months in prison.
Additionally, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed to restrict his future activities and protect the community from potential harm.
The case underscores the ongoing threat posed by online predators and the importance of community vigilance in combating such crimes.
