John McAdams

John McAdams, a 65-year-old resident of Stockton-on-Tees, was involved in a disturbing online operation that led to his arrest and subsequent conviction for serious child sex offences. In September 2025, McAdams believed he was communicating online with a man who claimed to have access to a 10-year-old girl. He arranged to view a live stream of the man raping the child, but this turned out to be a sting operation conducted by officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), supported by the East Regional Special Operations Unit (ERSOU).

Following the arrangement, McAdams was arrested at his home on Rollesby Way in Stockton-on-Tees. Police seized several of his devices during the raid, uncovering a cache of indecent images depicting both children and animals. The investigation, part of Operation Sentinel aimed at tackling serious and organised crime, revealed the full extent of his activities. McAdams was charged with arranging the commission of a child sex offence, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, making and distributing indecent images of children, and possessing extreme and indecent images of animals.

On 5 January 2026, McAdams pleaded guilty to all charges at Teesside Crown Court. He was sentenced on 2 February 2026 by a judge, receiving a six-year custodial sentence and a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order to restrict his future behaviour and protect the public. Detective Constable Grace Wass, who worked on the case, commented after the sentencing: 'McAdams pleaded guilty to his vile actions thanks to the hard work of officers whose tireless efforts to build a strong evidence case file has paid off. I want to thank everyone who worked on this investigation, including our colleagues at ERSOU; everyone’s efforts have ensured a dangerous predator is now behind bars.' The operation highlighted the ongoing efforts by regional police units to safeguard children from online predators.