In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that 68-year-old William George Smith—of Oak Close, Tidworth—was jailed for three years after travelling over 200 miles with the intent to abuse two children. Smith appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video link from HMP Leeds where he pleaded guilty to four counts of arranging to commit child sex offences. It was reported that the investigation established Smith had driven from Wiltshire to West Yorkshire believing he was meeting a man in a Wakefield pub who would facilitate the abuse of a 10-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy.
The investigation established that Smith had been communicating online for weeks with an individual he believed was a fellow predator named ‘Mark’. The prosecution reported that ‘Mark’ was actually an undercover police officer conducting a sting operation. Leeds Crown Court heard that Smith sent detailed messages outlining the sex acts he wished to perform and even brought physical gifts for the fictitious children to the meeting on July 30, 2019.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Smith showed a “troubling” lack of insight into the psychological trauma his intended actions would cause. The investigation established that Smith believed his culpability was diminished because the undercover officer had claimed the children were already being abused. The prosecution reported that Smith was so determined to reach his victims that he phoned the officer multiple times during the 200-mile journey, including once to ask for directions to the pub when he struggled to find it upon arrival in Wakefield.
Judge-led proceedings at Leeds Crown Court concluded with Judge Geoffrey Marson QC sentencing Smith to three years in prison. For his actions in travelling to Wakefield and his lifelong “sexual interest in children,” he was identified as a significant risk to public safety. The judge noted that Smith’s belief that prior abuse made further assault less harmful was “very troubling,” highlighting a total failure to understand the impact on a child’s welfare.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the records reported in Wiltshire and West Yorkshire, the status of William George Smith as of April 9, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Status: RELEASED ON LICENCE (Sentenced to 3 years in 2020; served custodial term; currently under supervision).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- SHPO Status: Subject to an INDEFINITE Sexual Harm Prevention Order (Including strict digital monitoring and a ban on unsupervised contact with children).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite ban on working with children or vulnerable adults).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence x4).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Leeds Crown Court; investigated by West Yorkshire Police.
- Criminal Record: Travelled 200 miles from Tidworth to Wakefield for child abuse; Targeted a 10 and 12-year-old; Caught in a police sting; Brought gifts for fictitious victims.
- Origin: Oak Close, Tidworth, Wiltshire.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Smith is managed as a high-risk registered sex offender within the Tidworth area. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically his “determination to travel long distances” and his “predatory use of the internet”—his management is a priority for the Wiltshire Police Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his lack of remorse and his justification of abuse identify him as an individual who requires the most intensive tier of statutory oversight, including unannounced home visits and forensic monitoring of all internet-enabled devices.
As a registered sex offender for life, the 74-year-old’s details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that the indefinite SHPO is a vital safeguard to prevent Smith from attempting to re-establish contact with potential victims or other predators online. Any change of residence in Wiltshire or elsewhere, any failure to disclose hardware, or any unauthorised proximity to children will result in immediate arrest to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who demonstrated a persistent and “calculated intent” to exploit children.
QUESTION – Given that the offender travelled “over 200 miles” and brought gifts for children he believed were already victims, do you believe that “Intent to Abuse” in sting operations should carry the same mandatory minimum sentence as an actual physical assault?
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