Man used 'language from another age' towards decoy girl

A total of 150 pages of Facebook messages showed David Feather, of Forge View in Steeton with Eastburn, wanted to have sex and marry 14-year-old 'Ella Mae Young'.

The 58-year-old proceeded to create a secret group with the decoy where he provided his home address.

Bradford Crown Court Prosecuting, Verity Barnes said Feather received a Facebook friend request from the decoy, controlled by an online child activist group, in September 2022.

He called the decoy an "attractive young lady" in one of the messages.

Others said she was "good looking", "sexy", and "beautiful".

One asked if she liked men and Feather suggested that he wanted to put a ring on it and court her.

In the secret conversation, Feather said he wanted to meet her in the future and for her to become his girlfriend.

Requests for "sexy photographs in bed" were also made.

The court heard how he wanted to have sex with the decoy, and kiss and cuddle her.

After providing his home address to the decoy, he was confronted by the activist group on October 2.

Feather was arrested by the police the next day and the messages were downloaded from his phone.

In interview, he admitted to sending the messages but insisted he was not attracted to children.

His Honour Judge Burn was shocked at the number of messages sent - 150 pages in 11 days.

"There is more to this case than simply paedophilia", he remarked.

Defending Daniella Gilmour said unemployed Feather was of good character and had no previous convictions.

She added that he suffers with loneliness, and that he has "limited ability" academically and socially.

This was evidenced by his willingness to provide his home address, she told the court.

Judge Burn countered by stating at some stage in the barrage of messages Feather knew he was doing something wrong.

Ms Gilmour also pointed out Feather had recently failed memory tests and his ex partner acts as his support worker.

Feather lived with his mother until her passing in 2014 which led to a "degenerative shift" in his behaviour.

Judge Burn said there are many ways lonely men can find company and the internet is not one of them.

He said from reading the messages it seems Feather was out for affection - using language of another age.

He pointed out the phase "court" was from times of the sixties or before.

Feather received a sentence of eight months, suspended by two years, along with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 200 unpaid hours of work.

He was also handed a sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Judge Burn was clear to make the point: "You are not getting away with this Feather".