A 68-year-old man has been convicted for attempting to pay for the rape of children as young as six—and helping others do the same. Edward Gratwick was stopped at Stansted Airport before he could board a flight to Bucharest, Romania, to carry out his sick plans.
Horrific Child Abuse Network Busted
The National Crime Agency (NCA) uncovered a chilling child abuse ring masterminded by Gratwick from his Mitcham, London home. Police found hundreds of indecent images and encrypted chats where he arranged and encouraged abuse.
Gratwick even offered the drug GBL to sedate children, making it easier to commit these horrors. In his chats, he discussed paying for brutal beatings of children as young as ten, exposing the sick depth of his depravity.
CPS Condemns ‘Abhorrent’ Crimes
Robbie Weber, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said:
“The abuse Edward Gratwick discussed inflicting on young children alongside others was abhorrent. He was willing to pay huge sums to exploit children and coached others on committing these vile acts.
Our specialist unit, working with the NCA, built a strong case that led to his conviction. I thank the jury for facing this disturbing evidence. This verdict sends a clear message: we will relentlessly pursue justice for every child.”
Guilty on 38 Charges—Sentencing Looms
Gratwick was arrested in early 2025 at Stansted, just before his flight to Romania. His devices revealed horrific chat logs and images. Today, the jury found him guilty of 38 offences, after he had already pleaded guilty to two more.
Danielle Pownall, Senior Investigating Officer at the NCA, added:
“The chat logs are some of the worst our team has ever seen. Gratwick shows no remorse despite the overwhelming evidence. Thanks to the jury for enduring this distressing material. We will keep working with international partners to protect vulnerable children.”
Sentencing is set for 28 November.
Ongoing Battle to Protect Children
Police and prosecutors are now focusing on identifying and safeguarding all victims. The CPS’s dedicated Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit specialises in cracking down on these complex cases to secure justice and keep children safe.
