In 2026, the Offender Database UK recorded that Lee Blatchford (formerly known as Lee Jowett), a 46-year-old resident of High Street, Honiton, was handed a 10-year extended sentence at Exeter Crown Court.
Blatchford was arrested in a city-centre cafe after plotting to meet and sexually abuse a nine-year-old girl. He arrived at the designated location carrying a rucksack packed with “kit” intended for the abuse, unaware that his online contact was an undercover police officer and that the child did not exist.
UNDERCOVER STING OPERATION AND PREDATORY CHATS
An investigation established that Blatchford initiated contact on an adult social networking site at the end of January 2026. Believing he was communicating with the mother of a nine-year-old girl, Blatchford spoke enthusiastically about his abusive intentions, sent indecent videos, and explicitly requested that the “mother” record abuse.
The defendant arranged what he termed a “first date” at an Exeter city centre cafe, expecting to meet both the mother and the young girl. Upon his arrival, Devon and Cornwall Police officers moved in and intercepted him. A search of his rucksack uncovered items including overnight clothing and a digital camera intended for filming the planned abuse.
SERIAL CONVICTIONS AND DECEIT
The prosecution, led by Kelly Scrivener, revealed that Blatchford is a convicted paedophile with a history of matching offences. In 2017, he was jailed for three years and four months for an almost identical grooming and entrapment attempt in Somerset.
Judge David Evans, who notably sentenced the defendant under his previous name of Jowett in 2017, remarked that Blatchford had previously claimed to have “woken up” to the harm of his actions. The court determined that the defendant had lied, minimised his behavior, and remained a highly dangerous individual obsessed with child abuse. The Probation Service formally assessed him as posing a maximum risk to children of both sexes.
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND EXTENDED SENTENCE TERMS
- Custodial Element: 6 years and 9 months in immediate high-security detention (the defendant must serve at least two-thirds of this term behind bars before being eligible for parole consideration).
- Extended Licence: 3 years and 3 months (remaining active upon his prison release to ensure long-term public tracking).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for LIFE.
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barred List (Indefinite, permanent ban from any role involving children or regulated public activity).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Arranging penetrative sexual activity with a child, Intentionally encouraging a child sexual assault).
- Origin: High Street, Honiton, Devon (Arrested in Exeter city centre).
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
Blatchford is managed as a maximum-risk dangerous offender under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Devon. Because he altered his legal name to evade his known history and explicitly prepared a physical kit to execute a hands-on strike against an infant, he is classified as a priority target for specialized behavioral and digital oversight.
His name, aliases, and biometrics are permanently logged on the national police database. Any future attempt to bypass his lifelong notification mandates, acquire unmonitored digital equipment, or use an altered identity to approach families will result in immediate police intervention and an automatic return to custody.
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.