Connor Addison

Connor Addison, a 26-year-old resident of King John Avenue, Gaywood, in King's Lynn, Norfolk, has been sentenced at Norwich Crown Court for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. The case came to light after Addison initiated contact on the Kik messaging platform in September 2023, believing he was communicating with a 12-year-old girl. Unbeknownst to him, the individual was an undercover police officer posing as a minor.

Over the course of more than a month, Addison sent explicit pictures of himself, including images exposing his genitals, accompanied by messages such as 'What do you think?' followed by a winking emoji. He repeatedly urged the supposed child to send nude full-body images and pictures in underwear, engaging in a string of sexualised online messages. Addison pleaded guilty to attempting to incite sexual activity and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

During the hearing at Norwich Crown Court, Recorder James Hay imposed an 18-month custodial sentence, which was suspended for 24 months. Addison was required to complete an accredited course, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and 150 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

The case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the effectiveness of undercover operations by Norfolk Police in protecting children from sexual exploitation. Addison's actions, though directed at what he thought was a vulnerable pre-teen, were intercepted before any real harm could occur to an actual child.