In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that then 61-year-old David Reed—formerly of Fields Farm Road, Hyde, Tameside—was jailed for a series of predatory digital assaults. The investigation established that Reed utilised online platforms to target who he believed were two 13-year-old girls. The prosecution reported at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court that Reed requested indecent images, shared explicit material of himself, and instructed the children to perform sexual acts to satisfy his perverted desires.
The investigation established that Reed’s actions escalated to an attempted physical assault when he arranged to meet both children. The prosecution reported that he planned for one girl to visit his home while his partner was at work and travelled 40 miles to Leeds to meet the second. Upon arrival in West Yorkshire, he was confronted and detained by the adults who had operated the decoy profiles. Following his arrest, Reed pleaded guilty to six counts of attempting to facilitate child sexual abuse through grooming and incitement.
PROJECT PHOENIX AND JUDICIAL FINDINGS
The court reported that the investigation, led by Project Phoenix within Greater Manchester Police’s Tameside district, prevented Reed from causing significant sexual and psychological harm to actual children. The investigation established that Reed’s persistent digital assaults identified a high-risk predator willing to travel across county lines to exploit minors. The prosecution reported that DC Mike Allen highlighted the severity of Reed’s intent, noting the long-lasting impact such actions would have had on genuine victims.
Judge-led proceedings at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court concluded on Tuesday 8 September 2020. For his actions in Hyde and Leeds and the nature of the serial child sexual abuse reported, David Reed was sentenced to 21 months in prison. The judge also imposed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a 10-year requirement to sign the Sex Offenders Register, ensuring his future digital and physical behaviour is strictly monitored by the authorities.
STATUS AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
Based on the judicial orders issued in 2020:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Attempting to cause a child to watch sexual activity; Attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming; Sexual communication; Incitement).
- Custodial Status: SERVING (In 2020, sentenced to 21 months; currently incarcerated).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active until 2030.
- SHPO Status: Active until 2030 (Imposing permanent prohibitions on unmonitored internet use and contact with minors).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barred List (Indefinite and permanent ban from any role involving children or regulated activity).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court; investigated by Greater Manchester Police (Project Phoenix).
- Criminal Record: Targeted two 13-year-olds; Travelled to Leeds for a meeting; Shared explicit images of himself; Instructed children to perform sexual acts; Jailed in 2020.
- Origin: Fields Farm Road, Hyde, Tameside, Greater Manchester.
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
Reed is managed as a high-risk offender under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Tameside. Due to the nature of his behaviour—specifically his “serial” digital assaults and his calculated effort to travel for physical contact—he is a priority for digital forensic oversight upon release. Authorities reported that the 2020 conviction ensures Reed is permanently flagged on national databases, meaning any attempt to hold a position of trust or interact with children in Hyde, Leeds, or elsewhere will be blocked.
As a registered sex offender until 2030, his details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that Reed’s behaviour identifies an individual who prioritised his own perverted gratification over the safety and human rights of children. Any failure by Reed to adhere to his notification requirements or his restrictive court orders will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who has violated the principles of human decency through child sexual abuse.
QUESTION – Given that the offender “Travelled 40 Miles to Leeds” to meet a child he believed was only 13, do you believe the law should legally mandate that any person caught travelling to a meeting for the purpose of child abuse should be subject to a “Whole Life Tariff” regardless of whether the meeting was a police or decoy sting?
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