Online groomer who bragged about being a paedophile jailed for three years

An online groomer from Leigh bragged openly to his victim that he was a paedophile who wanted to sexually abuse her.

Nathan Hope, aged 32, met his 13-year-old victim on social media before sending her a series of inappropriate, sexualised messages between November 2023 and March 2024.

He was exposed when the girl’s mum found a series of incriminating messages sent through the encrypted Discord platform.

He also met with and kissed her a number of times in Nottinghamshire.

Hope had initially reached out to the girl via YouTube before sharing his email addresses and telephone number.

After inviting her to the encrypted messaging app, he began stating openly that he was a 32-year-old “paedo” who wanted to sexually assault her.

Hope, now aged 34, was tracked down by digital experts at Nottinghamshire Police and brought in for questioning.

After refusing to provide login details to his electronic devices, Hope gave no-comment answers in his police interview.

However, faced with the evidence against him, he later pleaded guilty to meeting a girl under 16 years of age following grooming; two counts of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity; and three offences under the Child Abduction Act.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 7 November, Hope, of Chatham Street, Leigh, was jailed for three years.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will tightly restrict his future online activities and his access to children.

Detective Constable Ross Elms said: “Hope was engaged in a steadily escalating relationship with a girl he thought he could exploit for his own gratification.

“I have no doubt, therefore, that the timely intervention of the girl’s mum helped to protect her from even more serious future abuse.

“Like many parents, she and the girl’s father were careful to monitor her tablet use with an appropriate app.

“Hope, however, was able to make use of an unmonitored device to go under the radar and enter into their daughter’s life.

“Ultimately, it is thanks to her bravery and the evidence she provided to us that we were able to bring this man to justice and – by doing so – protect other young people from harm.”