Enfield Man Jailed for Online Child Sex Offences
Michael Richards, 34, from Enfield, has been locked up for two years at Wood Green Crown Court for online child sexual offences.
Richards’ Guilty Plea and Charges
On 2 June, Richards pleaded guilty to:
- Sexual communication with a child
- Causing a child aged 13-15 to view sexual images
- Facilitating a child sex offence
He was also slapped with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), banning contact with girls under 16. Richards will remain on the Sex Offender Register for life.
Undercover Sting Stops Groomer in His Tracks
The Met’s Central Specialist Crime Unit was tipped off on 4 May by an online child abuse activist group about Richards’ grooming attempts. Using the fake name “Jason Langham,” Richards believed he was chatting with a 14-year-old girl—actually an adult police decoy.
The sexual chats escalated quickly. Despite repeated warnings about her age, Richards sent explicit messages, videos, and pushed for a meet-up in Enfield.
On 7 May, police staked out the arranged meeting spot. They spotted a slim, scruffy man with his hood up on his phone and identified him using his online photos. The man was arrested and identified as Michael Richards.
Police Warning on Vigilante Groups
Detective Inspector Mark Rogers said: “Richards is a predatory offender and thankfully no child was harmed this time.
“We appreciate the vigilance of activist groups but warn against taking the law into your own hands. It can disrupt investigations, risk innocent people being wrongly accused, and hamper police work.”
“If you suspect online grooming, report it to your local police or Crimestoppers. For immediate danger call 999.”
