A recidivist Burford Paedophile, Stephen Painter, has been incarcerated once more for attempting to engage in sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl.
In 2018, Stephen Painter was incarcerated after attempting to engage in sexual activity with a decoy posing as a 14-year-old girl, unaware that it was a sting operation conducted by individuals known as ‘paedophile hunters.’
The 67-year-old, Stephen Painter, arrived for the meeting in Yorkshire with lubricant, condoms, and vodka before his arrest.
At Oxford Crown Court, he was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for the offence and subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
In the same court in 2020, it was disclosed that he had violated that order six times, resulting in an additional 24-month imprisonment.
On Tuesday, March 19, Stephen Painter received a 34-month sentence for orchestrating a meeting with a young girl in a hotel room in Oxfordshire, which was subsequently revealed to be a sting operation conducted by ‘paedophile hunters.’
In sentencing the former public school groundsman, Judge Nigel Daly stated: “Mr. Stephen Painter, you are aware of the circumstances.”
“I have thoroughly researched your actions; however, it offers minimal alleviation, as you continue to repeat this behaviour incessantly.”
“It appears that upon release from custody, you merely continue the behaviour.”
Barrister Alice Aubrey-Fletcher, prosecuting the case, stated that Stephen Painter had been apprehended while texting an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old on the dating application Badoo.
The account informed Painter of their adolescent status, nevertheless Stephen Painter persisted on messaging, soliciting images and enquiring if they had “ever experienced a man’s genitalia.”
He arranged to meet the account, proposing that he reserve a hotel room for their overnight stay.
On February 26 of this year, he was arrested at his residence in Burford by the online group and then put into police custody.
The painter acknowledged certain points during the conversation but refuted any intention to proceed with the arrangements.
Barrister George Josef, representing the defendant Stephen Painter, stated that the defendant has been unable to elucidate the reasons for his criminal behaviour, but proposed that it commenced following the dissolution of his 20-year marriage to his ex-wife.
“His parents deceased two years ago, and he resides alone with his dog,” stated Mr. Josef. He stated that the transgression may have originated from ‘isolation and loneliness.’
Stephen Painter was sentenced to 28 months for attempting to meet a kid following sexual grooming, 28 months concurrently for attempting to violate his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and six months consecutively for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor.
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