Delivery Driver Jailed for Attempted Child Grooming

Walter Ripley, 33, was sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to four charges of attempting to groom a child with the intent of having sex and sharing explicit images. The offenses came to light when Ripley, believing he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl named "Poppy" on WhatsApp, was actually engaging with a decoy from a group called Undercover and Expose.

The judge, Philip Statman, expressed his disappointment over the three-year delay in bringing Ripley to justice, citing staffing issues, Ripley's release under investigation, and the COVID-19 pandemic as contributing factors. He described Ripley's actions as "disgusting" and "shocking."

The court heard that Ripley, described as an isolated and lonely individual, had a troubled upbringing with both parents having criminal records. He sent explicit images and videos of himself to the decoy, along with voicemails of a sexual nature, using the pseudonym "Donald."

Ripley was confronted by members of Undercover and Expose at his workplace, leading to a disturbance and police intervention. He was subsequently sacked from his job.

Judge Statman added that Ripley will remain on the Sex Offender's Register indefinitely and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.