A paedophile, Leroy Sheehan, from West Cumbria planned to meet a 14-year-old girl for sexual purposes, oblivious to the fact that the encounter was a setup orchestrated by paedophile hunters.
The “teenager” with whom 42-year-old Leroy Sheehan from Cleator Moor was conversing was, in reality, an adult decoy collaborating with the Online Child Safety Team, as presented in Carlisle Crown Court.
The defendant, Leroy Sheehan, residing on Henry Street, Cleator Moor, confessed to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor and to facilitating a child sex offence by arranging a meeting with the “child” in Whitehaven.
Tariq Khawam, representing the prosecution, delineated the events that transpired.
He stated that volunteers affiliated with the paedophile hunter organisation utilise fictitious online child profiles to expose persons having a sexual attraction to minors.
This entailed the fabrication of counterfeit profiles.
In July of the previous year, the group established a Facebook profile for an ostensibly 14-year-old girl, including a photograph. On June 13, Leroy Sheehan transmitted a friend request to the individual.
He disclosed his age and expressed that he was feeling “low” following the recent loss of his partner. Mr. Khawam stated, “The witness expressed her regret upon hearing that and indicated that she was 14 years old.”
In later texts, Leroy Sheehan enquired about the possibility of communicating via WhatsApp. He remarked that girl appeared older than 14 and requested a topless photograph. He proceeded to address the topic of engaging in sexual intercourse with her.
The contact subsequently consented to meet Sheehan at Whitehaven train station. Upon his arrival, he was met by a volunteer from the Online Child Safety Team and two of her associates.
Following the execution of a “citizen’s arrest,” they contacted law enforcement. The court was informed that the defendant had no pertinent prior convictions.
Tim Evans, in defence, stated that although Leroy Sheehan refrained from commenting during his police interview, he had been forthright with probation personnel. A background study indicated a “rapid deterioration” in his mental state and two suicide attempts.
During the commission of his offences, he ingested four litres of vodka daily and drunk eight litres of whisky over several days, as he attempted to “drink himself to death.”
“Although none of that serves as an excuse, it provides the context for what is characterised as the disinhibitory effect on his criminal behavior,” stated Mr. Evans.
The findings indicated that Leroy Sheehan, mourning the loss of his girlfriend, was in a “very dark place” when he perpetrated the acts.
The lawyer stated that Leroy Sheehan, had a little intellectual handicap, did not conform to the typical profile of a predatory internet sexual criminal frequently encountered in court proceedings.
Judge Michael Fanning acknowledged the defendant’s psychological challenges and the bereavement of his girlfriend one week before to the offence.
The court informed Leroy Sheehan, “It is evident that you were consuming alcohol excessively,” acknowledging that this would have diminished the defendant’s inhibitions. The court remarked, “However, you are 42, three times the age of this alleged 14-year-old girl.”
“You believed you were interacting with an authentic 14-year-old girl.” Leroy Sheehan planned to engage in sexual intercourse with her, and there was no evidence suggesting he was under the influence of alcohol when he travelled to Whitehaven to see her.
The judge remarked, “You were aware of your actions.”
He sentenced Leroy Sheehan to two years and eight months of incarceration, mandated his registration on the Sex Offender Register for ten years, and imposed a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration.
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