Who is Gareth Duke? Paralympic champion at centre of paedophile hunter sting as court reveals new case details | International Sports News
Gareth Duke, a 39-year-old British Paralympic gold winner, has avoided jail after he was caught in an online sting by a paedophile-hunter group. The group, called Child Online Safety Team, pretended to be a 14-year-old girl named Mia and spoke with him online. Their chat was then passed to police, which led to Gareth Duke’s arrest.Last week, Newport Crown Court gave him a six-month jail sentence, but the judge decided to suspend the sentence for 18 months. This means he will not go to jail if he follows all rules during this time.Gareth Duke won gold at the Athens 2004 Paralympics and silver at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics. He later retired in 2011 after his second kidney transplant stopped working. The court heard that Gareth Duke believed he was talking to a young girl, and he asked her to meet him in Cwmbran. Police said he also asked her for photos and tried to start an inappropriate chat. The chats happened between May 25 and June 2, as reported by South Wales Argus.His lawyer said Gareth Duke has many health problems. He needs kidney dialysis three times every week, is registered blind, and only has about 20% hearing. The court was told he has a chance to change his behaviour and get better.Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant told Gareth Duke in court that this was “serious and predatory” behaviour. The judge said Gareth Duke knew the age of the person he thought he was speaking to. The judge also said Gareth Duke showed remorse and had no past criminal record.
Gareth Duke sentenced after chats with “Mia,” a fake profile made by child online safety team
The court heard details about Gareth Duke’s online chats with “Mia,” the girl he believed was 14. He asked her to travel to meet him and told her they would “kiss and cuddle.” Police said he also asked for photos, which made the Child Online Safety Team step in and report everything. The group created the fake profile only to protect real children, and their screenshots were shared with officers, who arrested Gareth Duke soon after.The judge gave Gareth Duke several strict rules. He must register as a s*x offender, follow a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity. He also has to pay a £154 victim surcharge.Gareth Duke was told in court that age “was not just a number,” and the judge reminded him how serious his actions were. Even without jail time, the rules placed on him will stay for many years, and police will keep checking his behaviour to make sure he follows every condition.Also Read: Tom Aspinall Breaks Silence On Scary Eye Injury And Rare Brown’s Syndrome After UFC Fight With Ciryl Gane
