Thetford man jailed for online sex offences
He's been sentenced to six years in prison
Last updated 22nd Nov 2022
A Thetford man has been jailed for six years - after being found guilty of 18 different online sex offences.
59 year Geoffrey Douthwaite, of Woodlands Drive, pleaded guilty at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday (17 November) after being found guilty of 11 counts of an adult inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, five counts of inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, one count of attempting to incite a child to look at sexual activity and one attempt to incite a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity.
Douthwaite also had his devices destroyed and received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The offences were highlighted as a result of a series of child ‘decoy’ stings by online child abuse activist groups (OCAGs). Douthwaite created a Facebook profile using the name ‘Daffy Daffy’ and engaged in sexual communication with 11 child decoys in total operated by members of four different OCAGs posing as underage children between 3 January 2021 and 1 May 2021.
During numerous conversations between Douthwaite and the female child decoys, which he initiates, he admits knowing their ages, makes inappropriate comments as well as asking for nude photographs and video calls with decoys ranging in age from 11 to 14 years. He makes comments about being much older and labels himself a ‘creepy’ and ‘dirty old man’.
One of the groups confronted Douthwaite at his home address on 1 May 2021 and officers from Norfolk Constabulary were alerted, Facebook messages were shared with police, and he was arrested that afternoon on suspicion of engaging in sexual activity with a child and possession of indecent images of children.
A search was subsequently carried out at Douthwaite’s address and his internet-enabled devices were seized for examination. He was further arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child relating to his messages with other child ‘decoys’.
DC Mathew Symonds said: “Protecting children is a priority for us and we work relentlessly, using a variety of tools and methods to investigate and gather evidence lawfully to bring prosecutions where we can. As a result of the information we received, officers searched Douthwaite’s home and were able to secure evidence of these conversations.
"While it was members of the online child abuse activist group that brought this to our attention, there are legitimate ways for the public to support the police and share information. Unlike our officers these groups don’t offer any protection to victims or safeguarding considerations.
"The increase in these groups is symptomatic of the increasing scale of child sexual abuse that police are dealing with. It reinforces the need for technology companies to do more to prevent offenders using their platforms to prey on children and for children and parents to be educated about healthy relationships and staying safe online.”