Peterborough man's plan to meet teen for sex foiled by citizen's arrest
He's been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years
Last updated 20th Mar 2023
A man from Peterborough who tried to meet who he thought was a teenage girl for sex has been jailed.
35-year-old Scott Ambrose, of Hallaton Road, started talking to a "girl" online and the conversation turned sexual, despite her making it clear she was 15-years-old.
He booked a hotel room to meet her a week later on 7 August 2021, and had bought alcohol, sex toys and a camera.
After travelling to Peterborough Train Station, he was instead met by a member of the public who made a citizen's arrest and phoned the police.
His home, car and hotel room were then searched, where police found the items showing intent to engage in sexual activity.
His phone was also seized, which revealed he had sent photos of himself and discussed details of picking up the girl and taking her to the hotel room.
Ambrose admitted charges of attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
He was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday 16 March, and was given a total of two years and seven months in prison.
He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for the same period.
DC Neal Holdsworth, from the force’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said: “We do all we can to bring those to justice who use the internet in this way - to groom and try to meet children under 16.
“Phones and social media mean children can be vulnerable to those who prey on their innocence and exploit their trust. I would urge parents to speak to their children about online safety and consider exactly who they are communicating with.
“Protecting young people from harm is one of our top priorities and we will continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.”