In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that then 45-year-old Roger Slade—of Truro Road, St Austell, Cornwall—avoided an immediate prison sentence after being snared in a “sting” operation. Slade appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming. The investigation established that Slade had targeted what he believed was a 13-year-old girl in foster care, a persona created by the “Totnes Justice” and “UK Database” hunting groups.
The investigation established that Slade initiated contact on Facebook, specifically asking the “girl” for her age before the conversation turned sexual. The prosecution reported that Slade requested images of the child’s genitalia and sent a picture of his own penis. To evade detection, Slade instructed the child to delete their message history, stating that he was doing the same. He eventually travelled to a pre-arranged meeting point in the St Austell area with the reported intention of having sex with the minor.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Slade was confronted at the meeting point by the hunting teams and remained at the scene until Devon and Cornwall Police arrived to conduct an arrest. The investigation established that during the grooming process, Slade acknowledged the child’s vulnerability and warned that their encounter “may hurt,” which the judge noted was clear evidence of his predatory intent. The prosecution reported that Slade, who was homeless and struggling with alcoholism at the time, attempted to use his personal circumstances as mitigation for his “vile” behaviour.
Judge-led proceedings at Truro Crown Court concluded with Slade being handed a 24-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. For his actions in Cornwall and the nature of the grooming reported, he was ordered to complete an alcohol treatment programme and a rehabilitation activity requirement. Judge Simon Carr warned Slade that he must not hide behind his addiction and reported that any further offending would result in him spending “most of his life in prison.”
Status and Statutory Requirements
Based on the judicial orders issued at Truro Crown Court in 2020:
- Custodial Status: SUSPENDED (2-year sentence suspended for 2 years in 2020; residing in the community).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active (Duration determined by the length of the suspended sentence).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite ban on working with children or vulnerable adults; permanently barred from all regulated activity).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity; Attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Truro Crown Court; investigated by Devon and Cornwall Police.
- Criminal Record: Arranged to meet a 13-year-old for sex; Sent indecent images to a minor; Instructed a child to delete evidence; Warned the victim the assault “may hurt.”
- Origin: Truro Road, St Austell, Cornwall.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Slade is managed as a registered sex offender under the statutory requirements of the Devon and Cornwall Police Public Protection Unit. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically his “calculated grooming of a child he believed was in the care system and his attempt to facilitate a physical meeting”—he is a priority for community monitoring. Authorities reported that the 2020 conviction ensures that Slade is subject to strict supervision in St Austell and elsewhere to prevent any further contact with children.
As a registered sex offender, his details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that Slade’s history identifies him as an individual who utilised social media to bypass parental and institutional safeguards. Any attempt to bypass his notification requirements, any failure to engage with his alcohol treatment programme, or any unauthorised proximity to children will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who “trampled all over the principles of human decency.”
QUESTION – Given that the offender told the “child” that their meeting “may hurt,” indicating he was fully aware of the trauma he was about to inflict, do you believe that “Premeditated Intent to Cause Physical Pain” should legally trigger a mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentence, regardless of any addiction-based mitigation?
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.