A 27-year-old man from Hornchurch has been sentenced for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, following a disturbing series of messages sent over a week-long period.
Daniel Duhig, of Hyland Way, admitted to sending explicit messages to a girl he believed to be underage between December 28, 2023, and January 5, 2024.
Disturbing Messages to Minor
According to court documents, Duhig’s messages included asking the girl if she had a boyfriend, whether she was a virgin, and telling her he would “like to join her in bed.” The messages were uncovered during an investigation into online child grooming.
Barkingside Court Sentencing
Duhig appeared at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, May 19, where he was sentenced to:
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Six months in custody, suspended for 18 months
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100 hours of unpaid work
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30 days of rehabilitation activity requirement
He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years.
Safeguarding Warning
A safeguarding officer present at the hearing described the messages as “deeply inappropriate and predatory.” The case serves as a warning about the ongoing dangers of online exploitation and underscores the importance of monitoring digital communication between adults and minors.
