Grimsby man jailed after travelling to Swindon intending to abuse a child
He was instead met by officers from an organised crime team
A 60-year-old man from Grimsby who travelled to southwest England to meet who he thought was a child has been jailed for four years.
Anthony Dugard from Park Drive was arrested in July in Swindon after he travelled there to meet a child with the intention of abusing them. Instead he was met by officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.
Dugard was arrested as part of a proactive police operation led by the Online Investigations Team at the SWROCU. This team works alongside a national network of officers tackling offences online, including child sexual abuse and exploitation.
He pleaded guilty to four child sex offences and was remanded in custody.
After examining his mobile phone, officers then realised Dugard had abused a real child.
The 15-year-old was able to provide evidence that Dugard had coerced and exploited her over a period of several months. Dugard was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to a further five child sexual abuse offences.
He was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court to four years in prison. He will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.
In her personal impact statement, the victim’s mother said: “It makes me so sad that she has been through this and I’m so sorry that I couldn’t protect her.
"The actions of this man have caused me to feel like I have let my daughter down massively and for that I am truly sorry. I am so proud of her and the fact that she has taken the big step of voicing her truths and telling the police what happened to her and take comfort in knowing that she can now find peace and start her healing process, knowing that the wrongs will be righted.
“She has made me very proud by speaking out and in knowing that she will have helped many others in doing so.”
DI David Wells from SWROCU said: “Dugard has caused substantial suffering to the victim and her family and I thank her for speaking up about his predatory behaviour. He poses a significant risk to children and I welcome the sentence handed down to him today.”
The NSPCC website has clear and extensive advice for parents and carers, children and young people, and professionals to keeping safe online.
If you have concerns about your own use of the internet or inappropriate thoughts or behaviour about children, or you are worried about how someone you know behaves, contact the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.