A 39-year-old man from Hampshire has been jailed after travelling to meet what he believed was a 14-year-old girl, only to be confronted by police officers in a carefully orchestrated sting operation.
The Online Conversation That Led to Arrest
Lee Comley, of Havant, began exchanging messages with an individual he believed to be a teenage girl in December 2023. Over the course of their communication, the conversations became increasingly sexual in nature, with Comley making explicit suggestions and arrangements to meet.
Unbeknownst to Comley, he was actually communicating with police officers from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary's Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT). The team had established a decoy profile as part of their ongoing efforts to combat online child exploitation.
The Day of the Sting
On December 13, 2023, Comley travelled to an arranged meeting location, fully expecting to encounter the 14-year-old girl he had been messaging. Instead, he was met by waiting police officers who immediately arrested him.
During subsequent searches of his property, investigators uncovered additional evidence of his intentions, including condoms he had brought with him to the planned meeting.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Portsmouth Crown Court, Comley pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.
On May 24, 2024, Judge Timothy Mousley KC sentenced Comley to two years imprisonment. The judge emphasised the seriousness of the offences and the clear predatory nature of Comley's actions.
Police Statement on Operation
Detective Constable Alistair Sweeney of Hampshire POLIT commented on the case: "This investigation and subsequent conviction demonstrates our commitment to protecting children from online predators. We will continue to proactively target individuals who seek to exploit and harm children in our communities."
The detective urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant about their children's online activities and to report any suspicious behaviour to authorities immediately.
