Sunderland man snared by online vigilantes posing as teenage girl
A Sunderland man was snared by online vigilantes when he sent a photo of his penis to a decoy social media profile he believed was that of a 14-year-old girl, a court heard.
Darren Wallace, 53, of Azalea Terrace South, Ashbrooke, contacted the fake Facebook account under the pseudonym Daz Wally and sent a message claiming he was aged 28.
The chat also moved to the WhatsApp messenger service during the contact period of Thursday, December 4, to Thursday, December 11, prosecutor Chike Anieto said.
In one message, Wallace asked if the girl had a boyfriend – and he also sent an image of his naked penis, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.
But the account had been set up by internet child protection group The Sanctuary, a trap that led to Wallace’s arrest.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of being aged over 18 and attempting to communicate with a child aged under 16 for the purpose of sexual gratification.
The charge also states contact was of a sexual nature and that Wallace sent a picture of his penis and requested photographs.
He also admitted possession of class A cocaine, a drug found on him when he was searched after his arrest.
Mr Anieto said: “This is an incident that starts off in a sexual nature, whereby the victim in this case is a decoy, acting on behalf of an online team called The Sanctuary.
“These are people who set up social media accounts to protect children from abuse and online grooming.
“They set up details of a 14-year-old girl. A Daz Wally sent a Facebook request and said that he lived in the Sunderland area and was 28 years old.
“It also moved to WhatsApp. This was Facebook to WhatsApp.
“There were quite explicit comments about whether she had a boyfriend. He sent a picture of himself to the victim in this case.
“The Crown submits this is suitable for sentencing within your powers. It’s 18 months in custody, from nine months to two years.
“When arrested and searched, a quantity of drugs was found on him.”
Joanne Gatens, defending, told magistrates: “You will want a report in this case. It is an attempt because it is a decoy.
“The defendant didn’t know it was a decoy or presumably wouldn’t have communicated in this way.
“This is absolutely out of character for him. I accept he has an extensive record but it’s for drugs and dishonesty offences.”
Magistrates adjourned the case for an all-options report to the same court on Monday, February 2.
They told Wallace they believed they had sufficient powers to sentence him but reserved the right to send him to Newcastle Crown Court.
Wallace was also made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.