Patrick Wallis 30

Description

An online child activity group lured a serial sex offender into sending illicit images to who he thought was a 12-year-old girl but was in fact a decoy.

Having been convicted six years ago of sexual offences, Patrick Wallis was again tricked into thinking he was communicating with teenagers.

The group Predator Exposure set up a decoy in 2018. Another group, Guardian Angels also had a successful sting which led to a further conviction of the sex offender.

Wallis, now 30, was handed a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, intended to restrict his internet access for his sickening online activity.

But at Grimsby Crown Court, he again admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a girl aged 12 years. He also admitted attempting to incite a girl aged 12 into sexual activity.

Wallis, now of Osborne Street, off Ferensway, Hull, admitted sexual activity with a child under 13 years and breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He had formerly lived in Grimsby and Immingham. Miss Holmes said a total of seven offences were admitted.

At Grimsby Crown Court, prosecutor, Claire Holmes told how a third online vigilante group set up a decoy between February and April 2021. The group streamed their attendance at Wallis' address live on Facebook during which he was confronted with the allegations.

He was arrested by Humberside Police on April 6, 2021, who had received details of his online conversations.

Miss Holmes said: "They were strikingly similar offences as before in which he was speaking to a decoy. He told police he thought she was 18."

The prosecutor said he asked her if she would perform sex acts. He sent images of his privates. He also wanted to arrange a meeting in Newcastle.

For Wallis, John Dunning said his client had learning difficulties and mental health problems.

He told the court the offences were over three years old and there was no evidence of further offending. The defendant leaned with his head in his hands on the front of the dock in court.

Judge Gurdial Singh said the Wallis had twice breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and "had not learned his lesson." The judge said: "He is contacting young girls with a view to having sexual contact with them."

He said the paedophile hunters had made it clear that she was "a 12-year-old girl". He said Wallis had also deleted his internet history which is a breach of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Judge Singh jailed Wallis for a total of five-and-a-half years. He extended the Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely.