A man identified as a “sexual predator” has been sentenced to prison for sending explicit messages to someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
Anthony Henderson, 62, of Francis Avenue in Withernsea, also attempted to arrange a meeting with the ‘decoy’ child in a public setting.
He was sentenced at Hull Crown Court after pleading guilty to charges including attempting to cause a child to engage in a sexual act, meeting a child following grooming, causing a child to observe a sexual act, and engaging in sexual communication with a child.
Henderson received a prison sentence of three years and nine months, along with a sexual harm prevention order, and has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
In October of this year, the Online Investigation Team of Humberside Police obtained evidence indicating that Henderson was sending sexual messages to a decoy profile, which he believed to be that of a 13-year-old girl, before arranging a meeting in a public area.
During the investigation, detectives found that he persistently sent messages of a sexual nature to the decoy profile, including sexually explicit content featuring himself and others.
Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Frances Robinson stated: “Henderson is a sexual predator, and I am pleased that he is now incarcerated and unable to continue his attempts to exploit vulnerable individuals.
I hope this sentence serves as a warning to anyone engaging in such offences that preying on the vulnerable is unacceptable. We will ensure you face justice for your actions.
“I would like to acknowledge the professionalism of my colleagues, including those from the Crown Prosecution Service, whose commitment has been instrumental in securing this conviction swiftly.
“I encourage anyone with information or concerns regarding this offending to report it by calling 101. We are always here to listen and provide support in any way possible.”
