Havant man pleads guilty to child sex offence
He was arrested on July 1 after a group that calls itself the Child Online Safety Team live-streamed on Facebook as they confronted him
Last updated 26th Aug 2025
A 38-year-old man from Havant whose arrest following a "paedophile sting" led to police riot officers being deployed after disorder broke out has pleaded guilty to a child sex offence.
Lee Comley, of Middle Park Way, Leigh Park, Havant, was arrested on July 1 after a group that calls itself the Child Online Safety Team live-streamed on Facebook as they confronted him.
Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court by videolink from HMP Winchester, the defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to incite a 14-year-old child in sexual activity.
Judge David Melville KC ordered a pre-sentence report on Comley and adjourned the case for sentencing on October 31 and remanded him in custody.
At the time of the defendant's arrest, police officers with riot shields were deployed in response to a crowd of about 100 people who began chanting and throwing objects including at police although no-one was injured.
Hampshire Police then imposed a temporary dispersal order to enable officers to use extra powers to break up the gathering.
Chief Inspector Alex Charge said after the incident: "Disorder will not be tolerated - it can cause real fear for residents, damage property and seriously impede our police officers who are working really hard to carry out their duties, make arrests and keep people safe.
"Officers attended quickly and robustly but were confronted by a group of people acting aggressively, including some who were throwing objects at police."