Former Tory Councillor William Horley Tried to Abuse Teen Boy Online

Former Tory Councillor Sentenced for Attempted Sexual Communication with a Child

William Horley, a 47-year-old former parish councillor for Chiseldon and Lawn in Wiltshire, has been sentenced for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Horley pleaded guilty to the charge at Swindon Magistrates' Court on February 12, 2025.

Between March 12 and 19, 2024, Horley contacted a profile on Grindr that was set up by a paedophile hunter. During these conversations, he discussed his desire for sexual activity with a teenage boy and explicitly described the acts he wanted to carry out. He also sent the profile a nude photograph of himself.

As a result of his actions, Horley was sentenced to an 18-month community order, requiring him to complete 40 days of rehabilitation activity. He was also fined £3,000 and ordered to register as a sex offender for five years.