In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Raymond Sharp, then 52, of Wycliffe End, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. On Thursday, 11 April 2019, Sharp was jailed at Aylesbury Crown Court after he was caught in an undercover sting operation by a paedophile hunting group.
The investigation established that between 12 January and 3 February 2019, Sharp engaged in sexual communication with an account he believed belonged to an 11-year-old girl. During these “appalling” interactions, the conversation became increasingly sexual, and Sharp repeatedly encouraged the “child” to perform sexual acts on herself. However, the account was actually operated by an adult member of the paedophile hunting team ‘Innocent Voices’.
Arrest and Forensic Findings
Thames Valley Police charged Sharp on 4 February 2019, immediately following the sting. During the investigation, it was confirmed that Sharp had intended to “systematically” groom the child for sexual purposes. He pleaded guilty to:
- One count of attempted sexual communication with a child.
- One count of attempting to cause/incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
The court heard that Sharp’s conduct was a calculated attempt to exploit a vulnerable young person. The evidence gathered by the ‘Innocent Voices’ team was essential in demonstrating his intent to engage in “reprehensible” sexual behaviour.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, Raymond Sharp was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Three years and nine months in immediate custody.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were imposed for life.
- SHPO: A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was issued to curb his digital activity and restrict his access to children.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Sharp is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Thames Valley Police. His history of “persistent” attempts to incite sexual activity with a child he believed was only 11 years old means his status remains under critical scrutiny.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Sharp must comply with strict notification requirements regarding his address in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Authorities state that the use of internet-based grooming techniques marks him as a high-risk individual. Any breach of his registration conditions or his SHPO following his release will result in his immediate return to Aylesbury Crown Court.
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