A scathing High Court judgment has condemned Facebook Marketplace as a 'toxic' environment that is 'a gift to criminals', following a horrific violent robbery that targeted a family in their own home in Epping, Essex.
The ordeal began when Andrew and Trisha Sheppard arranged to sell an old iPhone on the platform. The supposed buyer, Reece Dent, 27, arrived at their property on November 30th, 2022. However, instead of completing the transaction, Dent and an accomplice forced their way inside.
The court heard how the couple and their young son were subjected to a terrifying attack. Mr. Sheppard was punched in the face, while the assailants threatened to 'cut' Mrs. Sheppard. The robbers made off with a mere £40 in cash, the phone, and a set of car keys, leaving the family traumatised.
In his ruling at the Royal Courts of Justice, Mr. Justice Nicklin did not mince words. He stated that the case was a 'stark reminder of the dangers of online marketplaces which facilitate collection in person' and that Facebook's platform was 'an open invitation to the dishonest and criminal.'
Reece Dent, of Waltham Abbey, was ultimately brought to justice. He was sentenced to ten years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to robbery and fraud. A second suspect remains at large.
This landmark case has ignited serious concerns about the safety protocols—or lack thereof—on major online trading platforms, raising urgent questions about the responsibility tech giants hold in protecting users from real-world harm.
