In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Christopher Postans, then 42, of Longridge Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, was sentenced for using the internet to groom multiple underage girls. On Tuesday, 23 July 2019, Postans appeared at Worcester Crown Court, where he admitted to three counts of sexual communication with children and an attempt to meet a child following grooming. The court heard that the defendant had targeted a 14-year-old girl with the specific intent of sexually assaulting her in a public park.
The investigation established that between April and May 2018, Postans used Instagram to contact a girl under the age of 16. He admitted to similar offences against two further victims, involving “disturbing” sexual communications. On more than one occasion, Postans attempted to arrange a meeting with one of the victims, aged 14, at Victoria Park, Malvern, Worcestershire. West Mercia Police reported that the meeting would have involved the commission of a serious sexual assault had it not been intercepted.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Postans had a history of previous convictions, which were reviewed by Judge Robert Juckes QC during the proceedings. Worcester Crown Court heard that the defendant had been remanded at HMP Hewell prior to his sentencing. The judge noted that the grooming behaviour was premeditated and focused on vulnerable young girls in the Malvern area. Despite his early guilty pleas, the judge warned Postans that the nature of his “predatory” attempts to meet children necessitated a custodial outcome.
The judge noted that the pre-sentence report prepared by the probation service highlighted the risk Postans posed to the community. For his actions in Malvern, Worcestershire, he was required to register as a sex offender immediately upon his conviction. The prosecution reported that the use of social media platforms like Instagram to facilitate physical meetings for sexual purposes was a significant aggravating factor in the case.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Christopher Postans was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: A term of imprisonment (remanded at HMP Hewell).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated.
- SHPO: A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to restrict his future internet usage.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Worcester Crown Court following guilty pleas to four counts.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Postans is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by West Mercia Police and the Probation Service. Due to the nature of the grooming and the attempted assault in Victoria Park, Malvern, Worcestershire, his management is subject to the highest level of oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Postans must comply with notification requirements regarding his residence in Longridge Road, Malvern, for the duration of his registration. Authorities state that his history of using Instagram to target children necessitates permanent and intense scrutiny of his digital activity and his proximity to local parks. Any breach of his registration conditions, his SHPO, or his licence terms upon release will result in immediate arrest and a return to Worcester Crown Court.
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