Ringwood paedophile Stephen Biles jailed after police sting operation
A PAEDOPHILE from Ringwood who planned to abuse a nine-year-old was caught by a police sting and jailed.
The conviction of Stephen Biles (61) came after he communicated online and over the phone with an adult to try to arrange a meeting where he could abuse the other adult’s niece at a hotel.
Biles, of Riverside, did not realise the messages he sent between January and March 2020 were going to a police officer, and the child did not exist.
Biles was arrested at his Ringwood home on 1st April, 2020, and a subsequent examination of electronic devices seized from his home found he had 52 category C child abuse images.
Following further investigation by Hampshire Police’s Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team (ICAT), Biles was charged with making indecent images of children, and two counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.
He pleaded guilty to the indecent images offence, but denied the other charges. The case went to trial at Portsmouth Crown Court where he was found guilty.
Appearing at Southampton Crown Court for sentencing, Biles was jailed for three years and nine months.
He was also made the subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and was ordered to sign on to the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
The judge said the investigation uncovered a “prolonged torrid exchange of messages over a period of time” and noted that Biles “couldn’t let the prospect of meeting a child go”.
Following the conviction, PC Gemma Southcott, from ICAT said: “This was a lengthy investigation utilising specialist tactics to target a man posing a very clear risk to children.
“In spite of the overwhelming evidence gathered against Biles, he still maintained his innocence. This only prolonged his inevitable conviction, with the jury taking just one hour to reach their verdicts.”
She continued: “ICAT are a specialist team dedicated to targeting those who use the perceived anonymity of the internet to cause serious harm to children.
“It is challenging work and the investigations can be lengthy and complex, but we are committed to removing dangerous people from the streets.”
Operation lead, Detective Inspector Allen Hull said: “This has been a great example of police partnership at its best. Coming together using a holistic approach to put a dangerous predator behind bars.
“We will continue to do all we can to protect children from harm whether that be in-person or online along with our police colleagues across the country.
“If any child or young person is concerned about someone they’re speaking to online, please tell someone about it or report it directly to the police.”
