Racist 'mad scientist' tried to lure underage girls for 'sexperiment' on Bridlington sea front

Far-right extremist Simon Sheppard, who had previously denied the Holocaust, has been jailed for three years and nine months for attempting to sexually exploit children in Bridlington.

Sheppard, 65, pretended to be a psychologist and approached girls in the seaside town, giving them cards inviting them to take part in a "sexperiment" in exchange for money.

He was convicted by a jury on February 18 after a trial at Hull Crown Court of eight offences involving attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and inciting the sexual exploitation of children.

Recorder Tahir Khan KC, sentencing Sheppard at Bradford Crown Court, said: "You were claiming to be a scientist who had degrees and was conducting an experiment. You were saying you were accredited. You passed yourself off as a scientist and approached girls in the hope that they would participate in penetrative sexual activity in exchange for money. You blamed the victims for what happened."

The court heard that Sheppard had approached several girls, some as young as 14, over a period of several weeks in July and August last year. He would often approach them in groups, offering to take them on an "adventure" or inviting them to participate in his "experiment."

On one occasion, Sheppard approached two 15-year-old twin girls and handed them a card inviting them to go with him. The girls, who were "confused and thought that the invitation...was creepy," ran away and told their mother what had happened.

On another occasion, Sheppard approached two 14-year-old girls who were sitting on a wall eating ice creams. He came very close to them before handing them cards and telling them: "Just read it." The invitation was for them to have sex for £150.

The police investigation revealed that Sheppard was not a psychologist and had no scientific publications connected to him online. He had been using his false identity as a scientist to entice young girls into engaging in sexual activity.

In addition to his jail sentence, Sheppard was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender for life.

This is not the first time Sheppard has been convicted of serious offences. In 2018, he was jailed for nine months for using racially aggravated words to a Sky engineer. He had also been convicted in 2008 of possessing, publishing and distributing racially inflammatory material, including anti-Semitic and racist material that "despicably referenced the Holocaust."

Sheppard has a long history of far-right extremism and has consistently denied the Holocaust. He has been described as a "notorious far-right extremist" who made "sick jokes about Jews being exterminated during the 'Holohoax.'"