A 37-year-old man from Witney, Oxfordshire, was exposed as a pervert after attempting to groom and engage in sexual communication with individuals he believed to be young girls online. Kirk Mortimer, residing on Winfield Drive, began communicating with two accounts posing as a 13-year-old and a 10-year-old girl. These accounts were operated by the vigilante group Cobra Hunters, who specialise in catching potential paedophiles.
The interactions escalated quickly, moving from initial online chats to WhatsApp, where Mortimer's messages became explicitly sexual, particularly towards the account pretending to be the 13-year-old. He referred to her as 'sexy' and expressed vulgar intentions, stating he wanted to put his 'c*** in her p****'. Mortimer arranged to meet the supposed 13-year-old at Oxford train station on 2 August for oral sex, unaware of the deception.
Upon arrival at the station, Mortimer was confronted by members of the Cobra Hunters group, who livestreamed the encounter online. The group promptly called the police, leading to his immediate arrest. This incident highlights the role of such vigilante groups in monitoring online predators, though their methods remain controversial.
Mortimer, who has nine prior convictions for 14 offences, pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and one count of attempting to meet a girl following grooming. During the sentencing on 20 November, his defence barrister, Peter Du Feu, argued that Mortimer had already suffered significant punishment through six weeks in custody and public humiliation, attributing his actions to loneliness, isolation, and special needs that affect his cognitive abilities. Du Feu noted Mortimer's improved condition and voluntary attendance at drug rehabilitation services.
Judge Emma Nott acknowledged Mortimer's vulnerabilities, stating, 'You thought you were speaking to two girls, aged 10 and 13. You spoke in a sexual way on WhatsApp to both of them. You arranged to meet for oral sex. Sadly for you, you discovered you had been caught out by a vigilante group who videoed you and called the police. You do have clear special needs. You don't have the same brain power as everyone else.'
Instead of immediate imprisonment, Mortimer received a two-year community order, including up to 25 days of rehabilitation activities. He was also subjected to five years on the sex offenders' register and a five-year sexual harm prevention order to mitigate future risks.