Phillip Buckingham was actually talking to an undercover police investigator
An online pervert nicknamed Funtime Fred asked a 13-year-old schoolgirl to “tease” him during highly sexualised “flirtatious” chats and he sent her intimate photos of himself. But he got a nasty shock when the girl turned out to be an undercover police investigator – and an officer later turned up at his workplace to arrest him, Hull Crown Court heard.
Phillip Buckingham, 61, of Dunhill Road, Goole, admitted attempting to communicate sexually with a girl aged under 16 between November 6 and 9, 2022. He pleaded guilty on the day of a scheduled trial before Beverley magistrates.
Michael Masson, prosecuting, said that Buckingham exchanged messages with a decoy 13-year-old girl set up by an undercover police officer on the social media platforms Kik and WhatsApp. He had the user name Funtime Fred and he said that he was looking for “no strings attached local” contact.
The fake girl told him that she was 13 and they swapped pictures. He told her that he was a 58-years-old and he encouraged her to send him a picture of herself.
He told her: “I want you to tease me” and he sent an intimate but clothed picture of himself. He told her not to save his name under a male name.
Buckingham asked her where she was and she told him that she was in school. He asked what lesson she was in.
He repeatedly referred to her “teasing” him and he was “immediately flirtatious” and sent another intimate picture to her. He asked her: “What do you think of that?” as well as asking her what experience she had.
Police went to his home on December 16, 2022 but were told that he had left for work. He was seen outside his workplace and he was using his mobile phone.
Do you feel safe where you live? You can have your say by completing the poll below or by clicking here.
Buckingham was arrested and the phone was analysed. “He denied any sexual interest in children,” said Mr Masson.
Jane Rapin, mitigating, said that Buckingham had committed no further offences and there were no more investigations into him. He worked full-time and he had no previous convictions.
“There is a real prospect of rehabilitation,” said Miss Rapin. Buckingham had been in a long-term relationship for about 10 years but this ended when his partner became aware of his offending. He regretted the hurt and distress caused.
Judge John Thackray KC told Buckingham: “There is no actual harm here because it was a law enforcement officer but the intent was there and you could have caused, with your intent, significant damage to a 13-year-old girl. The offence is a serious one.
“You were soliciting images. You were sending images. There was a significant disparity in ages here.
“I do accept that your risk could be managed in the community. Ultimately, only appropriate punishment can be achieved by way of an immediate custodial sentence.”
Buckingham, who had been on bail, was jailed for nine months. He was given a five-year sexual harm prevention order and he must register as a sex offender for 10 years.