A MAN described as a ‘dangerous predator’ by police has been jailed after being caught trying to arrange to meet and rape a child.
Sean Wallace, of Woodside Road, Haringey, was jailed for 14 years and six months for arranging the rape of a child under 13 and distributing an indecent image of a child, following a hearing at Wood Green Crown Court.
The 43-year-old was caught during an undercover operation in which a police officer posed online as a woman with access to a child.
Wallace contacted the officer asking if he could sexually abuse the fictional child.
He sent sexual images of himself, as well as indecent images of other children, to the undercover officer.
“During online chat and telephone calls Wallace spoke openly about his desire to abuse young girls and made arrangements to meet the woman in order that he could rape the child,” a Met Police spokesperson said.
“He was arrested at his home address after he failed to attend the planned meeting stating that he was nervous and needed more time to build up trust with the woman before meeting her.”
On examining his phone, police found Wallace was speaking online to numerous apparently underage girls.
He was charged on Friday, 19 August 2022 and has been held on remand until his sentencing on August 13, 2024.
Detective Sergeant Robert Blant, whose team led the investigation, said: “Sean Wallace is a dangerous predatory offender, who preyed on innocent and vulnerable young children.
“My team worked around the clock to bring Wallace to justice by going through large amounts of disturbing digital evidence collated from his online activities and seized from his home.
“I’m pleased that as a result of great policing work, we have prevented a dangerous individual from continuing to offend and ruin the lives of children or young people.”
He added: “Our dedicated teams will continue to apply their expertise in investigating child sexual offences to safeguard children and young people across London.”