78-Year-Old Paedophile Avoids Jail Time After Vigilante Capture

A 78-year-old man has been sentenced to a 21-month suspended sentence after being caught attempting to groom what he believed was a 13-year-old girl. George Gleed, a convicted paedophile, faced confrontation from the vigilante group, Dank Dragon, who live-streamed the encounter at a shopping centre in Merthyr Tydfil, near Cardiff, on June 8, 2022.

The Cardiff Crown Court heard that Gleed began communicating with a decoy posing as a young girl days before the planned meeting. Prosecutor James Evans detailed how Gleed, fully aware of the girl’s age, engaged in a series of inappropriate messages. He lavished her with compliments and even promised to buy her a car once she was older. His messages escalated in severity, with disturbing requests including sexual acts.

On the day of the meeting, Gleed suggested they go to McDonald’s, where he intended to engage in sexual activity. Instead, he was confronted by members of Dank Dragon, who had been monitoring his online interactions. Gleed, who has a history of sexual offences, including a conviction for indecent assault on a child in 1991, pleaded guilty to several charges, including attempting to meet a child under 16 following grooming and sexual communication with a child.

During sentencing, Gleed’s lawyer, Martha Smith-Higgins, cited his health issues and recent personal struggles as mitigating factors. However, Judge Jeremy Jenkins criticized the “inordinate delay” in bringing the case to trial. In addition to the suspended sentence, Gleed was ordered to complete a 30-day rehabilitation program, pay £1,000 in costs, and register as a sex offender for ten years. He also received a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

This case has raised concerns about the effectiveness of legal measures in protecting vulnerable individuals from grooming and sexual exploitation. For those affected by grooming or abuse, organizations such as Childline and the NSPCC provide vital support and resources. Childline can be reached at 0800 1111 or through their website, while the NSPCC Helpline is available 24/7 at 0808 800 5000.