WILL HAND FROM SKELMERSDALE CAUGHT GROOMING CHILDREN IN ST HELENS AND ONLINE

In July 2010, a disturbing case emerged involving Will Hand, a 30-year-old school bus driver from Skelmersdale, who was found to have engaged in inappropriate and illegal activities targeting minors in the St Helens area. The investigation was triggered when authorities discovered that Hand's mobile phone contained indecent images, prompting a deeper inquiry into his activities.

It was revealed that the phone had been left unattended in the staff toilets at the local bus depot, and this piece of evidence was handed over to the police. The discovery of the phone's contents led to further investigations into Hand's conduct, which uncovered a pattern of grooming behavior both offline and online.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old girl from St Helens reported to her parents that her school bus driver had been sending her inappropriate sexual messages. The girl had found Hand's phone number written on a scrap of paper left on the bus, which she then shared with her parents. This incident prompted authorities to look into Hand's online activities.

Further inquiries revealed that Will Hand had been actively grooming children over Facebook. Under the guise of a young man from Grimsby, he had been requesting to meet children in person without their parents' knowledge or consent. This online deception was part of a broader pattern of predatory behavior aimed at exploiting vulnerable minors.

As a result of these investigations, Hand was brought before the court and convicted of possessing indecent images and sending indecent communications. The court sentenced him to a three-year supervision order and a three-year ban from contact with any child under the age of 16 unless supervised. Additionally, he was ordered to attend a specialized internet sex offenders treatment program and was placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

The court's order explicitly states that Hand must have no unsupervised contact with children under 16, emphasizing the seriousness of his offenses and the need for ongoing monitoring.

Lancashire Police highlighted the case as part of their broader efforts to combat child sexual exploitation. Over the past year, their dedicated unit has successfully protected more than 200 children from sexual abuse and exploitation. Sergeant Vicky Leighton emphasized the dangers posed by modern technology, noting that children are increasingly targeted through social networking sites, webcams, and mobile phones.

She explained that many children, often suffering from low self-esteem, are initially drawn to the attention they receive, which can lead to them being exploited. These children may not recognize themselves as victims and might believe they are in control because they are receiving something in return, such as affection, money, or other benefits. The case of Will Hand underscores the importance of vigilance and protective measures in the digital age to safeguard young people from predators.