A “dangerous” child paedophile predator, Mario Palumbo, was located at his residence in Bradford by a paedophile hunter organisation following sexually explicit conversations with a decoy impersonating a 13-year-old girl.
Fitness instructor Mario Palumbo, residing on Smiddles Lane, became captivated by a fictitious Facebook profile of a teenage girl, established by a member of the Child Safety Online Team, and commenced messaging the account in September. Mario Palumbo commenced transmitting sexualised communications to the decoy, accompanied by nude photographs of himself, and referred to her as “absolutely adorable.”
On Thursday, December 19, Bradford Crown Court was informed that the 33-year-old was still under prison license after serving a four-year sentence at Sheffield Crown Court in 2020 for the grave offence of making threats to kill. In 2020, Mario Palumbo was granted an extended licence period of three years after being evaluated as a dangerous offender.
Judge Sophie McKone was informed that Mario Palumbo, lacking any prior convictions for sexual offences, asserted he was merely 26 during his explicit conversation with the decoy and proposed that the girl should feign being his daughter or niece if they went shopping together.
Prosecutor David McGonigal stated that the defendant referred to the decoy as “sexy” and “beautiful” and transmitted photographs of lacy undergarments she could consider wearing. Mr. McGonigal stated that group members successfully identified Mario Palumbo’s residence in Bradford, and upon their arrival, he attempted to flee through the rear exit.
Upon his apprehension, Mario Palumbo stated, “I acknowledge that my actions are erroneous.” Kindly refrain from contacting the authorities, as I am currently on parole. Mario Palumbo, who participated in court through a video link, entered a guilty plea in October to two charges with the effort to induce a juvenile to partake in sexual behaviour.
His counsel, John Bottomley, said the court that his emotional client was distressed and remorseful for his acts, acknowledging that he had perpetrated a grave offence.
Judge McKone sentenced Mario Palumbo to 40 months of incarceration and instituted a 10-year sexual harm prevention order to limit his future interactions with individuals under 16 and regulate his internet usage. He will be required to register as a sex offender for a duration of 10 years.
The judge stated that Mario Palumbo had either hoped or believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl, and his conduct indicated a sexual interest in minors.
“You were fully cognisant that you were engaging with a minor, undoubtedly in your perception,” she informed Mario Palumbo. Judge McKone asserted that the child was nonexistent, although Mario Palumbo maintained the belief in her existence and, in his perception, was engaging with her in a sexually explicit manner to fulfil his own sexual desires.
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