David Houldsworth

A 58-year-old man from Keighley, David Houldsworth, has been imprisoned for two years following his conviction for serious online child abuse offences. The case came to light through a live Facebook sting operation conducted by an online child abuse group, leading to Houldsworth's arrest.

Houldsworth pleaded guilty to two charges: sexual communication with a child and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The investigation into his activities was a meticulous two-year effort by the Bradford Districts Policing Online Investigations Team. On 8 November 2023, he was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court, where the judge imposed the two-year custodial sentence. In addition to his prison term, Houldsworth will be required to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order upon his release.

Detective Constable Adam Flaxington from the Bradford Districts Policing Online Investigations Team commented on the outcome, stating: "This was a lengthy two-year investigation, and I welcome the guilty plea and sentence the courts have handed down." The case underscores the vigilance of online policing teams in combating child sexual exploitation through proactive operations.

The sentencing reflects the severity of the offences, which involved direct attempts to groom and incite sexual activity with a minor via online platforms. Sources close to the case, including reports from UKNIP, highlight the importance of such sting operations in identifying and apprehending predators who target children digitally.