WILLIAM PREECE, FORMER TEACHER FROM WAKEFIELD, SENTENCED AFTER ONLINE SEXUAL EXPLOITS

In May 2021, William Preece, a 32-year-old former teacher from Wakefield, was sentenced after admitting to engaging in inappropriate online communications with underage girls and possessing indecent images of children.

Preece had explicit sex chats with four underage girls and later contacted an undercover police officer pretending to be a 14-year-old girl. Prosecutor Catherine Duffy explained that an officer was posing as 'JS' when Preece messaged the profile in August 2018. The police had set the profile to the minimum age of 18, but Preece's initial message asked about the girl's age.

The officer responded that the girl was 14, to which Preece asked, 'Like older guys?' Their conversation continued, with Preece requesting a photo, which she sent showing her face. Later that month, the 'girl' messaged him saying she was 'well younger than you.' Preece replied, mentioning he used to be a teacher and speculating about a pregnancy scenario involving a 14-year-old.

He also asked her to wear her school uniform if they were to meet. In October, officers searched his home on Novale Way, Wakefield, arresting him and seizing devices, including a tablet and a computer tower. During police interviews, Preece said that his partner was not as 'sexual' as he was, and that he felt aroused when she was at work, prompting him to chat online with young females. He claimed he would end conversations if the girls were under 16 and insisted that meeting 'JS' was just a fantasy.

Preece denied that other conversations or indecent images would be found on his devices. However, Ms. Duffy stated that he had sexual chats with four other young girls, including one where he suggested having sex with a 15-year-old once she 'turned legal.' He also told another 15-year-old, 'Love being naughty haha. Hope you can keep secrets. Send pics,' and inquired if she would allow him to have sex with her.

Police efforts to identify the victims were hampered by the passage of time. Investigators also discovered indecent images on his devices, including six videos deemed the most serious category. Additionally, Preece visited over 60 pornography websites featuring terms like 'young,' 'school fun,' and 'underage.'

In his second police interview, Preece claimed he believed he was talking to females in their late teens or early twenties and was unaware of any indecent images of children on his devices.

Preece, now residing on Garlick Street, Brighouse, had no previous convictions prior to this case. He was sentenced to a three-year community order that includes 25 days of rehabilitation activities, 31 sessions of sex offender treatment, and 150 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register and was subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order.