Darwen Predator Colin Smith Jailed for 12 Years Over Child Sex Crimes
Twisted Offender Busted in Hotel Sting
Colin Smith, from Everton Street, Darwen, has been locked up for 12 years after admitting to a string of horrific child sex offences. The 11 charges relate to five victims and include meeting a child after grooming, producing and sharing indecent images, and engaging in sexual acts with a child.
Smith was caught red-handed on August 19, 2020, when police waited for him in a Bury hotel room where he was housing two missing teenage girls. His arrest was the result of a carefully planned operation by GMP officers.
Deceptive Groomer Used Fake Online Identities
Smith posed as a teenager online, creating multiple social media accounts to lure young victims into a deadly trust trap. After his arrest, police seized numerous devices that revealed more victims and exposed his stash of indecent images and extreme pornography.
Police Praise Victims’ Bravery
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Partington said: “Firstly, I would like to publicly recognise the courage of the two young girls who were staying in the hotel room – they made contact with someone they could trust, which enabled us to safeguard them and, ultimately, secure this prosecution.”
He added: “Smith’s behaviour towards the victims was nothing short of sickening – in some cases, he plied them with alcohol to commit abhorrent and depraved offences. His imprisonment should reassure communities about our commitment to tackling these crimes.”
GMP Sends a Clear Warning to Predators
Constable Carly Baines of GMP’s Sexual Crime Unit said: “This sentencing is the result of a long, meticulous investigation. Smith’s conduct is deplorable and will not be tolerated. I thank the victims for their resilience and bravery in helping us bring this dangerous and depraved man to justice.”
She hopes the jail term will allow the victims to heal and move forward with their lives.
