Lee Comley

Lee Comley, a 39-year-old man from Leigh Park in Havant, Hampshire, has been sentenced to three years in prison for attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. The case arose from an online sting operation conducted by a vigilante group known as the Child Online Safety Team, which created a fake profile of a 14-year-old girl named Maya on Facebook.

Comley initiated contact with the profile and quickly escalated his communications. He began by requesting photographs of the supposed girl in her bikini, before progressing to demands for nude images and videos depicting sexual acts. These interactions moved from Facebook to WhatsApp, where Comley's intentions became increasingly explicit. Although the profile was fictitious, the prosecution highlighted the clear intent behind his actions, which demonstrated a dangerous predisposition towards child sexual exploitation.

On 1 July 2024, the vigilante group confronted Comley in person and live-streamed the encounter on Facebook, leading to his arrest by Hampshire Constabulary officers. The broadcast drew a crowd of approximately 100 people who gathered aggressively, chanting and throwing objects at police, nearly sparking a riot. Officers deployed with riot shields to manage the disorder, and no injuries were reported. Hampshire Constabulary subsequently imposed a temporary dispersal order to restore order and facilitate the arrest.

Comley appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court, where he had already pleaded guilty to the charge. Judge Michael Bowes KC described Comley's lack of insight into the seriousness of his offending and imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order alongside the custodial sentence. Prosecutor Simon Foster noted the 'extremely ugly incident' triggered by the online streaming of the arrest.

Defence barrister Emma Easterbrook argued that Comley had already suffered significant consequences, including the loss of his home and employment, due to the public backlash following the disorder. Chief Inspector Alex Charge of Hampshire Constabulary condemned the vigilante actions, stating that such disorder impedes police efforts to protect the public and make arrests safely. Inspector Neal Harvey emphasised the severity of child sex offences, describing Comley as a 'dangerous individual' whose intent could have caused real harm if not intercepted.

The case underscores the risks associated with vigilante interventions in suspected paedophile activities, as highlighted by police statements, while reinforcing law enforcement's commitment to pursuing offenders who target children online.