Cop Jailed for Grooming 13-Year-Old ‘Girl’ in Online Sting
Detective Constable Francois Olwage, 52, from Stevenage, was arrested on October 29, 2021. The experienced officer, with 15 years in the force, was caught after trying to groom who he thought was a 13-year-old girl online — but it was actually an undercover cop.
Sex Chat Setup at Basingstoke Meeting
Olwage faced multiple charges: attempting sexual communication with a child, inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, and meeting a girl under 16 following grooming. He pleaded not guilty initially, but admitted to abusing his police powers for sexual gratification at Winchester Crown Court.
On April 14, the jury found him guilty on all remaining counts. He received a hefty five-and-a-half-year jail sentence, was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, and slapped with a sexual harm prevention order.
Investigation Exposes Bait-and-Switch Online
The court heard how Olwage used an online chatroom over two weeks, engaging in increasingly sexual conversations with the undercover officer posing as a young teen. Eventually, he tried to arrange a real-world meet-up in Basingstoke—where police arrested him.
Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Dalton of the Vulnerable Children’s Unit blasted Olwage’s actions:
“It is shocking that a serving police officer has committed these appalling crimes. No favouritism was shown to him for being a police officer as the investigation and court process showed.”
She praised her team’s “tenacity and determination” in protecting the public. “Investigating those who seek to harm children is incredibly difficult and the results they achieve make me exceptionally proud.”
Judge Slams Betrayal of Trust
Judge Jane Miller QC said,
“You were a highly regarded police officer with considerable experience. You were expected to uphold the law but by trying to take advantage of a vulnerable child, albeit fictional, you showed a disregard for the public trust and confidence that is held in your office.”
The defence claimed Olwage sought love, not a child, explaining he “stumbled across” the chat because police monitor such sites. Barrister Adrienne Knight said:
“This isn’t entrapment, but this was very close indeed.”
Senior Crown Prosecutor Marc Thompson hit back:
“While he denied any sexual interest in children, his messages made it clear he believed he was in contact with a child. On the day he planned to meet, he abandoned his police duties to pursue sexual gratification. No actual children were in danger, but this case reveals what he is capable of under the internet’s cover.”
Olwage’s conviction sends a stark warning: even those sworn to protect can betray public trust. His sentence marks a clear message that no one is above the law when it comes to child protection.
