A paedophile who was caught by a police sting after arranging to meet a 14-year-old boy in St Albans has been jailed for six years.

Andrew Dalby, from the Hemsworth area of Sheffield, was sentenced to six years and nine months in jail at St Albans Crown Court on Monday, after pleading guilty to the following ten charges:

  • Attempting to engage in sexual comms with a child
  • Arranging the commission of a child sex offence
  • Three charges of causing a child to engage in sexual activity
  • Four charges of sexual communication with a child
  • One charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

Watford Observer: Andrew DalbyAndrew Dalby (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

The 42-year-old was arrested by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary, following an operation to identify offenders targeting vulnerable children via chat rooms and social media.

Between October 20, 2022 and December 10, 2022, officers from the Child Online Safeguarding Team monitored Dalby chatting who he thought was a 14-year-old boy, whilst claiming to be a 30-year-old doctor working in the Sheffield area.

As the conversations progressed, Dalby offered to meet the 'boy' offering him a health check. The chat then became sexual, with Dalby booking a hotel room in St Albans so they could spend the night together.

Dalby then travelled to St Albans where he was arrested by officers at the hotel he had booked.

A search of his car revealed he had brought items including condoms and medical equipment with him.

He was charged and remanded to prison whilst the investigation continued, with analysis of his phone and computer subsequently revealed further victims in Hull, Great Yarmouth, Birmingham and South Wales, who were spoken to by specialist COST officers.

Dalby was remanded to prison and appeared at St Albans Crown Court on May 26, this year, where he pleaded guilty to all ten charges.

"This was a very successful operation which has removed a dangerous sexual predator off the streets," said Detective Sergeant Jim Miller from the COST team.

"However, I am mindful that there could still be other victims that we are not aware of, and I am keen to hear from anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Andrew Dalby or who knows of anyone who may have been targeted by him. You will be fully supported by specially trained officers."