Sidcup Man Walks Free After Sending Sexual Messages to Fake Teen
Grooming Attempt Exposed by Paedophile Hunters
Andrew Manning, 50, of Parish Gate Drive, escaped jail after admitting to trying to engage in sexual communication with whom he thought was a 14-year-old girl. Between February 3 and 22, Manning sent explicit messages detailing sexual acts he wanted to perform. The so-called teen was actually a decoy account run by vigilante paedophile hunters.
Live Confrontation Leads to Guilty Plea
The hunters confronted Manning on February 22, live-streaming the encounter before alerting police. Manning pleaded guilty on March 15 and faced sentencing at Bexley Magistrates’ Court on June 5.
Community Order Rather Than Prison
Despite the gravity of his actions, Manning received a two-year community order including a 35-day rehab programme aimed at tackling his offending behaviour. He has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years.
Debate Rages Over Sentencing
The sentence has sparked debate over whether community orders are tough enough for offenders caught attempting sexual communication with minors—even if the “child” is a sting operation.
