Three Men Jailed in Major Online Child Sex Sting by South Yorkshire Police
South Yorkshire Police’s Internet Sexual Offences Team has scored a big win in the fight against online child exploitation. After a months-long operation, three men who thought they were chatting to children online were caught, convicted, and locked up.
The Offenders: Convicted and Behind Bars
- Andrew Spinks (45), Warmsworth, Doncaster:
- Spinks exchanged explicit messages with a profile he believed was a young girl. His messages were sexually explicit.
- Police raided his home on April 18 and arrested him.
- On May 13, he was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to 16 months for attempting sexual communication with a child and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
- Timothy Newberry (33), Reresby Park Close, Rotherham:
- Newberry tried to engage in sexual chats and encouraged under-13s to perform penetrative sex, believing he was talking to a child.
- The offences took place in June 2023.
- He was jailed for three years and six months at Sheffield Crown Court on May 20.
- Mark Priest (39), Haggstones Road, Sheffield:
- Priest faced multiple charges, including attempting sexual communication with a child and inciting sexual activity.
- He believed he was talking to real children online during these crimes.
- On May 17, Sheffield Crown Court sentenced him to three years and nine months behind bars.
Detective Praises Team’s Tireless Work
Detective Constable Spencer Lodge, who led the investigation, hailed his team’s dedication in gathering the crucial evidence needed to convict the offenders.
“This operation sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue those who prey on our top priority – protecting vulnerable children,”
He also stressed the ongoing challenges police face in cracking down on online sexual exploitation but vowed South Yorkshire Police won’t back down.
