A 68-year-old man has been convicted after trying to pay for the rape of children as young as six—while also helping others do the same. Edward Gratwick was caught before he could board a flight to Bucharest, Romania, to carry out his sick plans.
Brutal Child Abuse Plot Exposed
The National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation uncovered a chilling network of abuse organised by Gratwick from his home in Mitcham, London. Searches found hundreds of indecent images of children and encrypted chats where he arranged and encouraged child sexual abuse.
Danielle Pownall, Senior Investigating Officer at the NCA, added:
“The chat logs are some of the worst seen by our investigators. Despite overwhelming evidence, Gratwick shows no remorse. Thanks to the jury for enduring this distressing evidence. We continue working with international partners to protect vulnerable children worldwide.”
Ongoing Efforts to Protect Victims
Police and prosecutors are now focusing on identifying all the victims and ensuring their safety. The CPS’s dedicated Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit specialises in tackling these complex cases to secure justice and safeguard children.
