A 78-year-old man from Devon was apprehended by a vigilante group after attempting to meet a person he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sexual purposes. The sting operation, conducted by a so-called ‘paedophile hunter’ team known as Dank Dragon, took place in the car park of Cyfarthfa Shopping Park, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. The incident, which unfolded in June 2022, was live streamed on social media by the group, further drawing public attention to the dangers presented by online predators.
The man, identified as George Gleed, had made contact with an individual he believed to be a young girl through a social media application. Unbeknownst to him, he was actually communicating with a decoy, deliberately set up by the group to expose individuals attempting to groom or abuse children online. Court proceedings revealed Gleed’s interactions grew quickly explicit, with disturbing evidence of sexual messaging and inappropriate photographs shared over several days leading up to the meeting.
Prosecutor James Evans stated in Cardiff Crown Court that Gleed was fully aware of the age of the person he believed he was speaking to, as the decoy had clearly identified herself as being 14. Despite this knowledge, Gleed continued his online correspondence, making sexual propositions and asking intimate and indecent questions. He went so far as to send sexual images of himself and ask the decoy for explicit pictures in return.
Further disturbing details were outlined during the trial. Gleed allegedly discussed various sexual acts, including instructing the decoy to perform sexual activities and sending her messages detailing what he would do if the pair met in person. These included kissing and other inappropriate intentions, as well as offers of material gifts such as driving her around and even purchasing her a car in the future. On the day of the planned encounter, he suggested taking the girl to a fast-food restaurant before engaging in sexual behaviour.
The prosecution also highlighted Gleed’s troubling criminal history. The court heard he already had 15 previous convictions, including an indecent assault on a child under 14, dating back over three decades to 1991. This prior offending contributed to the seriousness with which the recent allegations were considered.
During the sentencing, mitigation was offered by his barrister, Martha Smith-Higgins, who detailed Gleed’s age and significant health challenges, such as asbestosis requiring continued medical attention. She also explained the impact these proceedings have had on his personal life, noting separation from his wife, relocation, and attempts to move forward within a new relationship.
Judge Jeremy Jenkins, addressing the court, remarked upon the length of time it took for the matter to come to trial, describing the delay as “inordinate” and acknowledging the stress it caused all involved. Despite the gravity of the charges, the judge decided on a suspended sentence, awarding Gleed 21 months’ imprisonment, suspended for an equal period. He was additionally made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years, required to register as a sex offender for a decade, and ordered to undertake 30 rehabilitation activity days and pay £1,000 towards costs.
Cases such as this have fuelled ongoing debate in the UK about the role of ‘paedophile hunter’ groups, their methods, and their impact on law enforcement. While they often receive public support for protecting young people, critics note potential risks relating to due process and the dangers of vigilantism.
This incident is a reminder of both the enduring threat posed by online grooming and the complexity of tackling child sexual exploitation in the digital age. Authorities continue to urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant about children’s activity online and to report any concerns to the appropriate police channels, rather than taking matters into their own hands.