David Horne – Durham

⚖️ A man who arranged to meet a child for sex has been jailed after he was caught by officers online.

David Horne, 57, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence after he arranged to meet a 14-year-old girl he had been speaking to online.

However, he was actually speaking to an officer from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) conducting an investigation alongside the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) with the support of Durham Constabulary.

Following his arrest on March 9, he was subsequently charged with a number of sexual offences including, attempt to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempt to cause a child to look at an image of sexual activity, attempt to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

On Wednesday (August 19), he appeared at Teesside Crown Court for sentencing having pleaded guilty to all charges on May 21.

Horne was sentenced to a total of nine years imprisonment.

Under the banner of Operation Sentinel we will continue to work with our partners to tackle online child abuse and sexual exploitation.

If you have concerns about child abuse or want to report a crime please reach out to us. You can also report information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Always dial 999 in an emergency.