A paedophile who police said 'posed a significant threat to children' is behind bars after he was arrested in a sting. Stefan Meek, 52, was held by detectives after travelling to meet who he thought would be a young girl. Instead, he was met by officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and arrested.
Devices seized and indecent images found
Police said subsequent searches at his home led to the seizure of electronic devices. They were forensically examined and Meek was found to be in possession of more than 500 indecent images and videos of children. He had also distributed some of the material online.
Further analysis of his online communications revealed he had arranged a meeting with another individual he believed to be a child and had 'sought opportunities to facilitate sexual activity involving a child', police said after he was jailed.
Charges and sentence
Meek, of Seven Walk, Winsford, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to six charges in total, including attempting to meet a girl aged under 16 and possession of extreme pornographic images. He was jailed last Friday (September 25) for 12-and-a-half years.
Police said Meek was also made subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and would remain on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.
Investigation and arrest
The investigation began after officers from the NWROCU identified Meek communicating online with an individual he believed to be a child. He arranged a meeting in St Helens, where he was arrested in April this year.
Detective Constable Natalie Jackson, from the NWROCU, said: "Stefan Meek posed a significant threat to children and took active steps to pursue and facilitate sexual offending. We welcome today's sentence which reflects the seriousness of these offences and demonstrates our commitment to identifying offenders, safeguarding children, and bringing those responsible before the courts."
