November 2007

RAF medic sentenced on sex charge

A 20-year-old RAF serviceman has today been sentenced to a three-year community programme at a Sex Offenders Management Unit, after being convicted of inciting a boy under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity.

Daniel Williams, of Lovelace Road, Barnet in Hertfordshire met the 13-year-old boy from Altrincham in internet chat rooms in 2005. Several months of conversations through the chat rooms resulted in the victim performing a sex act via a web cam.

Williams was caught because the boy’s father had installed a programme called Guardian Monitor on the house computer to monitor his son’s internet activity.

On 16 November 2005 a warrant was executed at the last known address of Williams where his brother informed officers that the offender was a serving trainee medic in the RAF.

Later that day Williams attended Wendover Police Station, Buckinghamshire, where he was arrested.

GMP officers, along with the RAF Special Investigations Section searched Williams’ room at RAF Halton where various items of computer equipment were found.

Williams was interviewed by officers and admitted that he had been in contact with the boy via internet chat rooms and mobile phone for several months, and he said they had built up what he believed to be a strong relationship.

He admitted to watching the boy perform a sex act via webcam on two occasions. He admitted that he had watched for about a minute but insisted that at no time had he encouraged the boy to do it.

Forensic analysis of the boy’s computer recovered chat logs, several of which showed conversations of a sexually explicit nature, as well as a number of webcam transmissions.

Williams was later also charged and has been convicted of perverting the course of justice after he attempted to interfere with a witness.

DC Paul Hatton who led the investigation said: “This man used the internet to prey on a young vulnerable boy. He pretended to be his friend and then used that friendship to encourage him to perform sex acts.

“Children and parents must be reminded of some of the dangers of using chat rooms. Children using them should be aware that although someone they chat with may appear to be friendly, their motives may be of a sinister nature.

“Williams was caught as a direct result of the victim’s father monitoring his son’s internet activity. This successful conviction clearly demonstrates the importance of knowing what your children are doing online.”

Williams has also been ordered to sign the sex offender’s register.