Pervert Matthew Worthington Arrested for Attempting to Meet a Child

Matthew Worthington, a 25-year-old serial sex offender, was arrested in a park in Stafford after attempting to meet a 13-year-old boy he had befriended online.

Worthington, known to authorities for previous sex offenses, had been engaging in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover police officer posing as a teenage boy on Facebook. He had even admitted to self-gratification during these chats and made plans to meet the boy for sexual activity.

Worthington's attempts to conceal his actions were unsuccessful, as he was apprehended by detectives waiting for him at the park. He had even changed clothes before going to the park, seemingly trying to avoid detection. Upon arrest, he attempted to dispose of his phone.

The court heard that Worthington was already subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order due to his previous convictions. He had attempted to circumvent the order by using masking software on his phone and utilizing Twitter, which he was banned from doing.

Worthington pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following grooming, three counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and one charge of making an indecent image of a child.

Judge David Fletcher sentenced Worthington to 22 months in prison, highlighting his troubled past and the potential for further offenses. He urged Worthington to seek assistance and change his behavior to avoid future imprisonment.