Brit Paralympian star caught asking teenage lady to ‘kiss and cuddle’ earlier than ‘tub’ pics
Duke believed he was chatting with a 14-year-old girl, but instead, he had been communicating with members of the Child Online Safety Team who then reported him
A British Paralympic gold medallist has avoided prison after being caught in an online operation by paedophile hunters. Gareth Duke received a six-month sentence at Newport Crown Court, suspended for 18 months. He must also sign the sex offenders register and comply with a seven-year sexual harm prevention order.
Duke, who has a genetic disorder called achondroplasia, won gold at the Athens 2004 Paralympics and silver at Beijing 2008 before retiring in 2011 after complications from a kidney transplant.
The court heard that Duke believed he was chatting with a 14-year-old girl named Mia. Instead, he had been communicating with members of the Child Online Safety Team, who later handed their evidence to police, leading to his arrest.
According to the South Wales Argus, messages showed Duke encouraging the person he believed to be a teenager to travel to Cwmbran so they could “kiss and cuddle.”
Prosecutor Ben Jones said the conversations included requests for images and inappropriate suggestions.
Jones said: “There was the soliciting of images. He asked her for photographs in the bath and told her he would show her a good time. The defendant asked her to strip on camera before the conversations became more graphic.”
He added: “He told her how she should masturbate.”
The man plead guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, with the offence committed between May 25 and June 2.
His lawyer told the court that Duke has “complex health needs,” including the need for kidney dialysis three times a week, registered blindness and only 20 per cent hearing in both ears.
She argued he had a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”
Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant said: “There is no doubt that you were aware of the person’s age. You said that age was just a number.”
He added: “’This was predatory offending and serious criminal behaviour. You have shown remorse and you have no previous convictions.”
In addition to the suspended sentence, Duke will need to complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and pay a £154 victim surcharge.
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