'Dangerous' Shropshire paedophile locked up for 21 years after historical abuse unearthed after sting by online vigilantes
A 58-year-old Shrewsbury man has been locked up for more than 20 years after historical sex offences came to light following a sting by paedophile hunters who had been posing as a 12-year-old girl.
Darron Mason, latterly of Cross Hill Court, Shrewsbury, was confronted at his then home in Ellesmere on November 1, 2020, by the vigilante group Seek and Expose, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard on Friday (October 24).
Mason was arrested by police after the vigilante group handed over evidence that he had been sending sexually explicit images, messages and videos to the decoy profile named "Emily", who Mason believed to be just 12.
Ms Frida Hussain KC, prosecuting, told the court police found a laptop and mobile phone with not only the messages to "Emily" but an extensive web search history that showed he had a clear interest in sexual activity with young girls.
She said the defendant admitted three charges: attempting to cause a child under 13 to watch sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
However, she added that before Mason could be dealt with in the courts for those offences, and following the posting online of a video of Mason's confrontation with the members of Seek and Expose, two separate victims came forward accusing him of historical sexual abuse.
She told the court that one of the victims had seen a video of Mason being confronted by the vigilantes and it had "triggered massive trauma" and she "felt compelled" to come forward.
Mason had denied seven charges of indecent assaults on children under 14 and one charge of gross indecency on a child when quizzed by officers, but after a trial in July this year, he was convicted by a jury on all eight counts of abusing both the victims.
Judge Anthony Lowe said that Mason was "a danger to children" and he had a clear sexual interest in children.
"It's not something that can be cured and it's not something that will go away, so children are at significant risk from Mr Mason," he said.
He jailed Mason for 21 years, telling him that the sentence was made up of two years for the online offences and 19 years for the historical abuse, with the sentences to run consecutively.
"When I said you have a sexual interest in children, you were shaking your head. I find that difficult to believe," said the judge. "If you don't accept you have a sexual interest in children, nobody is going to give you any help whatsoever, but that is a matter for you."
He told Mason he will serve two thirds of the sentence but will only be released when the parole board is satisfied he no longer poses a risk.
Mason was also placed under a sexual harm prevention order.
Following Mason's sentencing, Detective Constable Peter Smith of West Mercia Police, who led the investigation into Mason, said: “Firstly, I would like to commend the bravery and resolve of the victim in this case who came forward after suffering years of abuse.
“The victim has had to carry the weight of these offences for many years, and it is a testament to their character that they found the strength to open up about such abhorrent crimes to ensure Mason is removed from our communities.
“West Mercia Police will always listen, stand by and seek justice for victims and I hope the sentence given to Mason is a clear message that we will listen and act upon any reports that are made”.