Old man who groomed ’13-year-old’ could serve no jail time after vigilante sting

The 78-year-old, who already has 19 prior convictions including one for indecent assault of a minor, received a suspended sentence for attempting to have sex with a 13-year-old

A 78-year-old convicted paedophile was caught red-handed after sending a photo of his genitals to who he thought was a 13-year-old girl and trying to meet her for sex, only to be confronted by a group of vigilantes.

George Gleed drove to a shopping centre in Merthyr Tydfil, near Cardiff, on June 8, 2022, expecting to meet the girl, but was ambushed by paedophile hunter group Dank Dragon, who live-streamed the showdown online.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Gleed began messaging the decoy, who posed as a 13-year-old on a social media app, days before his arrest.

“He knew she was 13 but kept grooming her,” prosecutor James Evans said. Gleed showered her with compliments, offered to take her for drives, and promised to buy her a car when she was old enough.

His messages then became even more sickening, saying he wanted to “kiss her neck, abdomen, and lips” and asking if she masturbated.

“He sent a photo of his penis and demanded a picture of her vagina,” Evans added, noting Gleed told her to “play with herself” in bed and planned to “spoil her” with sexual acts

On the meet-up day, Gleed said he’d take her to McDonald’s before “kissing her all over her body” during a drive. Instead, Dank Dragon exposed him.

Gleed, formerly of Maerdy but now of Brixham, Devon, pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child under 16 following grooming, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and sexual communication with a child.

With 15 prior convictions, including a 1991 indecent assault on a child, he faced sentencing.

His lawyer, Martha Smith-Higgins, cited his asbestosis and recent separation, but Judge Jeremy Jenkins, slamming an “inordinate delay” in the case, handed down a 21-month suspended sentence, a 30-day rehabilitation requirement, £1,000 costs, a 10-year sex offender register order, and a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

For victims of grooming or abuse, help is available. Childline offers confidential support for young people at 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk. The NSPCC Helpline is available 24/7 at 0808 800 5000 or www.nspcc.org.uk.