Bex McCullgh

A 25-year-old man from Backwell, North Somerset, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being caught in a police sting operation targeting online child sex offenders. Bex McCullgh travelled to Bristol in October 2024, believing he was meeting a young boy for sexual activity, only to be arrested by undercover officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

The operation was part of SWROCU's Online Investigations Team efforts to identify and apprehend individuals seeking to sexually abuse or exploit children online. McCullgh was charged with attempting to incite a person under the age of 16 to engage in 'give and receive' sex acts for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification. He pleaded guilty on Monday at Bristol Crown Court to arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

At the hearing, the judge imposed an extended sentence of eight years, comprising four years' custody followed by four years on extended licence. McCullgh must serve at least two-thirds of the custodial term before he can apply for release. In addition to the prison sentence, he was issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

• McCullgh's guilty pleas reflect the seriousness of the offences, which involved online grooming and attempts to facilitate child sexual exploitation.
• The SWROCU's proactive approach underscores the ongoing national efforts to combat online child abuse, with Detective Inspector David Wells stating: 'The sentence handed down to McCullgh reflects the threat posed to children. Our Online Investigations Team is part of a national network who work to identify and arrest offenders looking to sexually abuse or exploit children online.'
• DI Wells further emphasised the importance of vigilance, adding: 'Outcomes like this show how important that work is, but equally how essential it is for young people and their carers to be alert to the risks.'

The case highlights the effectiveness of law enforcement in using decoy operations to snare predators. McCullgh's actions were thwarted before any real harm could come to a child, but the court recognised the potential danger he posed. This sentencing serves as a deterrent to others engaging in similar online activities. The article, reported by Lettice Bromovsky for the Daily Mail and published on 13 February 2025 (updated 14 February 2025), draws from court records and official statements from SWROCU.