Edward Andrew Grieve

A former teacher and Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) coach from Northern Ireland has been imprisoned following his conviction for attempting to sexually communicate with children. Edward Andrew Grieve, who entered guilty pleas to a total of four offences including two counts each of attempted sexual communication with a child, was caught in a sting operation by undercover police officers posing as 13-year-old girls.

The case came to light when Grieve initiated contact online, engaging in conversations that quickly turned explicit. According to court proceedings reported by the Belfast Telegraph, Grieve asked one of the decoys for images to 'help him pleasure himself', demonstrating a clear intent to engage in sexual activity with minors. This behaviour led to his arrest and subsequent charges under relevant UK legislation addressing child sexual exploitation.

During the sentencing hearing at Belfast Crown Court, Grieve became visibly distressed, wailing and crying out for his mother as the judge handed down a 12-month custodial sentence. The court heard details of how Grieve, leveraging his background in education and coaching, had sought to groom the supposed children through digital means. Prosecutor Paul Higgins outlined the evidence, emphasising the predatory nature of the communications, which included requests for indecent images and discussions of sexual acts.

• Grieve pleaded guilty to four counts related to attempted sexual communication with a child.
• The offences involved interactions with undercover officers posing as 13-year-old girls.
• Sentencing occurred on or around 9 October 2025, as reported.

The judge highlighted the severity of the offences, noting Grieve's position of trust in society as a former educator and coach, which aggravated the case. This incident underscores ongoing efforts by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to combat online child sexual exploitation through proactive operations. Grieve's actions were deemed a serious breach, resulting in his immediate incarceration.