An individual, Robert Twaites Ingleton Paedophile, deemed a ‘dangerous’ sex offender has been sentenced to four years in prison following his apprehension by a vigilante organisation targeting child predators, marking his second encounter with such a group.
Robert Twaites received a community order in 2018, which mandated his participation in a specialised program for sex offenders.
The Bradford Crown Court was informed yesterday that a gang of paedophile hunters apprehended the individual in question. He was found guilty of sending sexually explicit texts to individuals he believed were females aged 13 and 14. Furthermore, he attempted to arrange meetings with them.
The court heard that, even after finishing the Horizon Programme, he resumed his online activities in January of this year, attempting to arrange a meeting for sexual activity with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
Prosecutor Philip Standfast informed the court that Robert Twaites participated in discussions with the decoy, expressing his enjoyment of going on dates and offering to purchase gifts for her.
Robert Twaites proposed the idea of meeting in the woods, but when he didn’t show up, members of the vigilante group for catching child predators confronted him at his residence and informed the authorities.
Upon inspecting his phone, law enforcement discovered illicit photographs of minors.
Robert Twaites, a 33-year-old resident of New Village, Ingleton, pleaded guilty to charges related to his efforts to induce or encourage a child to participate in sexual behaviour and his attempts to engage in sexual communication with a minor.
Julian White, representing Robert Twaites, characterised his behaviour as self-destructive and expressed astonishment at his persistent engagement in such actions.
“Despite undergoing the required rehabilitative process, he persisted in committing the same offences,” stated Mr White.
He characterised Robert Twaites as a solitary and lonely guy.
Judge Sophie McKone stated that, notwithstanding his claims to the contrary, he harboured a sexual attraction towards children and presented a significant threat of causing severe harm to them.
While no actual child was involved, if there had been, the individual would have carried out the planned act of abuse.
Judge McKone sentenced Robert Twaites to a four-year prison term and imposed an additional two-year licence due to his status as a dangerous offender.
The Parole Board will only release him after he has served two-thirds of his jail term, provided they determine it is safe.
Robert Twaites is required to register as a sex offender with the police permanently and must adhere to an ongoing Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
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