In 2022, the Offender Database recorded that Anthony James Fieldsend, then 33, of Derby Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was jailed for 34 months for grooming what he believed were two 12-year-old girls. On Friday, 17 June 2022, Fieldsend appeared at Sheffield Crown Court, where he was sentenced after being caught in an undercover sting operation conducted by police online operatives.
The investigation established that between 9 and 23 July 2021, Fieldsend used social media to strike up sexual conversations with two decoy profiles. He sent a sexual picture to the first profile and discussed oral sex and meeting in person. He also engaged in sexual dialogue with a second profile on 22 July. Although the former tyre-and-exhaust fitter initially claimed his phone had been hacked, South Yorkshire Police used his work GPS data to prove that his locations matched the locations he had revealed to the “girls” during their chats.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Fieldsend had a “contemptuous” disregard for the safety of children, with Judge Rachael Harrison telling him that his language would have been “devastating” had the victims been real. Sheffield Crown Court heard from Prosecutor Richard Sheldon, who detailed how Fieldsend persistently lied during his police interviews and in his defence statement, claiming he was a “big family man.” The judge noted that his failure to admit the offences earlier had unnecessarily delayed the judicial process.
The judge noted that despite his lack of relevant previous convictions, the premeditated nature of the grooming in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, warranted immediate custody. For his actions, Fieldsend pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, attempting to incite a child to engage in a penetrative sexual act, and attempting to communicate with a child. The judge noted that the 34-month sentence reflected the severe risk he posed to the public.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Anthony James Fieldsend was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 34 months in prison.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated for ten years.
- SHPO: A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court following late guilty pleas.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Fieldsend is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by South Yorkshire Police and the prison estate. Due to the “devastating” nature of his communications in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, his management is subject to oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Fieldsend must comply with notification requirements regarding his residence in Derby Street, Barnsley, for the next ten years. Authorities state that his SHPO is a critical tool for monitoring his future internet use and digital footprint. Any breach of his registration conditions, his SHPO, or his licence terms upon release will result in immediate arrest and a return to Sheffield Crown Court.
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.