Southampton Sexual Predator Jailed for Eight-and-a-Half Years

Richard Baker, 50, of Smythe Road, Southampton, has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to offenses against children.

Baker was arrested in January after using a messaging app to contact someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. He attempted to gain her trust by offering "safety advice" and sharing selfies and photos of his dogs. However, he then began sending explicit pornography and expressing a desire to hug her, suggesting an "undressed hug."

Baker arranged to meet the girl in Fareham on January 18th, but the girl was actually an undercover officer. He was arrested upon arrival with a camcorder in his possession.

Baker initially claimed he was "trying to explain and warn the girl about how boys can be," but later confessed to sending the messages and attempting to meet with a child for sex.

In February, Baker pleaded guilty to arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offense, attempting to cause a child to watch an image of sexual activity, and four counts of indecent assault against a girl aged 13-15 from when he was in his early twenties.

He was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court and will be placed on the sex offenders' register for life. An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order prohibits him from unsupervised contact with children or being within five meters of school grounds. Any violation of this order will result in his arrest and return to prison.

DS Heather Hudson of Hampshire Constabulary emphasized the importance of parental vigilance and online safety education for children.

"By taking Baker off the streets, we have removed a dangerous predator from our community," said DS Hudson. "This sentence demonstrates our commitment to protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse."