Captain... Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/gary-cleary-hangs-himself-after-2280871 A man committed suicide days after vigilantes accused him of being a paedophile and grooming a child on the web. Gary Cleary, 29, was arrested after being confronted in public by undercover online group Letzgo Hunting. The vigilantes lure suspected sex offenders into real-life meetings by posing as young girls online. Members then video confrontations and post footage on Facebook and YouTube before tipping off police. Mr Cleary, who lived with his college worker girlfriend Melissa Andrews, was confronted in public by Letzgo Hunting members four months ago. He was arrested and questioned by detectives from Leicestershire Police on May 9 after they were shown the footage. The engineer, from Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire, was released on bail while officers looked at allegations. He was found dead at home four days later. A coroner last week recorded a verdict of suicide – but no mention of Letzgo Hunting was made at the inquest. The hearing in Loughborough, Leicestershire, was told how a relative found Mr Cleary hanged in the garage of his semi-detached home. Coroner Trevor Kirkman said: “Whatever may have occurred, or whatever may be thought to have occurred, is not a matter I need to go into.†A relative of Melissa’s, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s a tragedy and has left everyone extremely upset.†Criticising Letzgo Hunting, he added: “It’s a sad reflection on modern life that vigilantes operate on the internet.†Mr Cleary’s family had no comment. Letzgo Hunting was set up by three men and a woman, assisted by 13 helpers, in Hinckley, Leics, this year. The founder, “Jamieâ€, said he would not change methods in the wake of Mr Cleary’s death. He added: “We feel sorry for his family for the loss.†Letzgo Hunting has led to the arrest of 12 in the county, but no charges. The Association of Chief Police Officers said Letzgo Hunting’s tactics could allow suspects to dispose of any key evidence before the police became involved. So should we approve of this type of vigilantism? Is it ridding the streets of paedophiles or tricking lonely and desperate people into doing something they wouldn't normally do?
Manwell Pablo Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/gary-cleary-hangs-himself-after-2280871 So should we approve of this type of vigilantism? Is it ridding the streets of paedophiles or tricking lonely and desperate people into doing something they wouldn't normally do? As said leave it to the Police I'd imagine activity of this kind would just hamper any investigation.
Captain... Posted 18 September 2013 Author Posted 18 September 2013 As said leave it to the Police I'd imagine activity of this kind would just hamper any investigation. But should the police be running stings like this to expose paedophiles? If so what difference does it make if it is a vigilante group, and is this what Cameron wanted with his Big Society? The thing I definitely do disagree with is public exposing him on Facebook and Youtube before going to the police. Other than I really can't decide if it is a good thing or not. Edit one of the videos can be found here, doesn't really have the production values of 'To catch a Predator' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/video-1036693/One-vigilante-paedophile-hunter-group-Letzgo-Huntings-videos.html
Parafox Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 Any information this dubious group obtain should be handed over to the police before any meeting is set up with individuals. If they have enough evidence to entrap the person then that would surely be enough to prompt a police investigation. Why do they feel the need to post videos online? They are not judge, jury and in this case, executioner (by default). What of the wider implications of identifying a suspected peadophile? His family will be targeted in ways the group have no concept of. I don't disagre with the intention of identifying a possible peadophile but to persue it like a witch-hunt is going to far. It's a matter for the police. And don't spout the BS about "if they did their job properly..." From reading the report i t seems it's as much, if not more about the adrenaline rush for the members, in particular the founder, of this group.
leicsmac Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 Any information this dubious group obtain should be handed over to the police before any meeting is set up with individuals. If they have enough evidence to entrap the person then that would surely be enough to prompt a police investigation. Why do they feel the need to post videos online? They are not judge, jury and in this case, executioner (by default). What of the wider implications of identifying a suspected peadophile? His family will be targeted in ways the group have no concept of. I don't disagre with the intention of identifying a possible peadophile but to persue it like a witch-hunt is going to far. It's a matter for the police. And don't spout the BS about "if they did their job properly..." From reading the report i t seems it's as much, if not more about the adrenaline rush for the members, in particular the founder, of this group. Of course it is. If it was purely altruistic these people would do as you said and hand the evidence over to the police rather than broadcasting it all over the Web. They consider themselves some kind of vigilante superheroes defending all of our kids and it sounds really good, when what they're really doing is possibly exposing innocent people and potentially damaging the future prosecutions of paedos that they actually catch. There's a reason we have a justice system with accountability.
ADK Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 True. Although it's not their fault he killed himself imo, that was his decision. The fact none of the people who they've accused were convicted says it all really.
Finnegan Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 The general public helping the police is always great, if people report dubious behavior on the internet to the police and stay vigilant that's great. But acting on it is just dangerous. You don't know what sort of potentially damaged or ill people they could be entrapping.
Webbo Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 Of course it is. If it was purely altruistic these people would do as you said and hand the evidence over to the police rather than broadcasting it all over the Web. They consider themselves some kind of vigilante superheroes defending all of our kids and it sounds really good, when what they're really doing is possibly exposing innocent people and potentially damaging the future prosecutions of paedos that they actually catch. There's a reason we have a justice system with accountability. I agree.
Rincewind Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 Posting on Facebook was stupid. It would damage the case and leave the targeted person with a lifetime of having fingers pointing at him. It is also libelous to make accusations through social media. I'm surprised there are not more taken to court over what is put on Twitter, Facebook and message boards.
Manwell Pablo Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 But should the police be running stings like this to expose paedophiles? If so what difference does it make if it is a vigilante group, and is this what Cameron wanted with his Big Society? The thing I definitely do disagree with is public exposing him on Facebook and Youtube before going to the police. Other than I really can't decide if it is a good thing or not. Edit one of the videos can be found here, doesn't really have the production values of 'To catch a Predator' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/video-1036693/One-vigilante-paedophile-hunter-group-Letzgo-Huntings-videos.html They do I think I used to know someone who work in the Pedo unit, whilst they can't initiate contact they can set fake profiles up I think. Please see previous post for difference in Police and Vigliante groups.
Bellend Sebastian Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 "The vigilantes lure suspected sex offenders into real-life meetings by posing as young girls online" Everyone OK with this? I'm sure it's completely fine. No officer, I'm definitely not a paedophile, I was just looking for paedophiles. All sorted
Trav Le Bleu Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 I thought you couldn't bring a case to court based on entrapment? Or is this an American thing I've picked up from too many US tv series? Edit: checked it - basically it's a case of, "you can, but good luck with that."
lcfcsnow Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 Letzgo Hunting has led to the arrest of 12 in the county, but no charges. So an absolute waste of time other than one bloke killing himself so far.
Parafox Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 So an absolute waste of time other than one bloke killing himself so far. Yes and did he kill himself because he was afraid of a court case or because he felt humiliated, scared and betrayed and was the victim of who-knows-what-abuse as a result of being posted on youtube?
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 Vigilantes mean well, but do interfere with policing, which is detrimental to what they are trying to achieve. I have no sympathy with sex offenders and murderers being driven to suicide in prison. Good cleansing ethic.
Rincewind Posted 18 September 2013 Posted 18 September 2013 Yes and did he kill himself because he was afraid of a court case or because he felt humiliated, scared and betrayed and was the victim of who-knows-what-abuse as a result of being posted on youtube? TBH being accused of something like that has always been my one fear. i've done nothing to draw suspicion but some people will make something of nothing. A word or sentence misunderstood a single person etc even a jokey or off the cuff remark. I am being serious. It can happen to anyone. If one person points the finger others may follow. I worked with a bloke that was done for molesting. The stories about what he had done in the past grew and grew until it was hard to know fact from fiction. He did time but I'm still don't know the full facts only hearsay.
Guest MattP Posted 19 September 2013 Posted 19 September 2013 Tough call. Vigilantism can't really be condoned but this guy was clearly a sick **** meeting for that. Problem with these stings is no charges can be brought aa they haven't done anything.
Captain... Posted 20 September 2013 Author Posted 20 September 2013 Tough call. Vigilantism can't really be condoned but this guy was clearly a sick **** meeting for that. Problem with these stings is no charges can be brought aa they haven't done anything. Man convicted by Nottingham Court today after one of these stings, he confessed so maybe that is why. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-24151189 apparently no evidence collected by Letzgo was used in the prosecution
ADK Posted 20 September 2013 Posted 20 September 2013 I think leaving the experts to do it is better. If the man had wished, he could have destroyed any evidence and denied the crime making it a lot more difficult to get a conviction.
Vacamion Posted 21 September 2013 Posted 21 September 2013 Is the gentleman who topped himself the one they showed on the news meeting up at Braunstone Park? I thought he showed quite a turn of pace to get away from them. Maybe they should bring a motorbike or something...
DB11 Posted 9 April 2015 Posted 9 April 2015 I think they've had their first conviction, it was Leicester based as well. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3031847/Moment-asylum-seeker-arrives-bus-station-meet-schoolgirl-sex-ambushed-sting-operation-vigilante-paedophile-hunters.html
city187 Posted 10 April 2015 Posted 10 April 2015 I think they've had their first conviction, it was Leicester based as well. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3031847/Moment-asylum-seeker-arrives-bus-station-meet-schoolgirl-sex-ambushed-sting-operation-vigilante-paedophile-hunters.html Good on um least if people see the possibility of them beeing spred on Facebook they would think twice rather then the police who dont let your details out untill guilty and in my opinion are usless and not very productive in preventing crimes. A couple of years ago i was on a park with my daughter and there was a man acting very strangely around the children's play area so we decided to ring the police to at least show up but the response we had was basically we cant do a thing till something is done! So police only seem bovered after a crime is committed rather then possibly preventing a crime from happening in first place. Vigilantes work is the way forward not saying all police are bad but id expect most peados would rather be entrapped by the police rather then someone who will tell everyone what they have been upto regardless if they get themselves off in court on bollocks technicalities. Plus with all the stuff coming out over pedo cover ups with celebs mps and others its no wonder people who have either been abused or have children decided to take action into your own hands. If somone was to message my kids on internet id want to kill them not let the police pussyfoot around the situation.
DennisNedry Posted 10 April 2015 Posted 10 April 2015 Vigilantism isn't the way forward. Certainly not ideal but better than having a paedophile asylum seeker roaming the streets.
Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot Posted 10 April 2015 Posted 10 April 2015 A pointless group who do more bad than good, all about ego.
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