Danielle Edney - Ariana Grande - paedophile sex offender
Danielle Edney - Ariana Grande - paedophile sex offender

A transgender paedophile, Danielle Edney, apprehended during two distinct predator stings conducted by independent paedophile hunting groups for seeking to exploit children sexually, has received a four-year prison sentence.

Danielle Edney, 30, of Crawley, was first caught attempting to meet who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl for sexual abuse in May of 2022 by the predator hunting team STOP, who did it on behalf of SLC, and the decoy was Harry Taylor.

Months later, Danielle Edney was caught a second time in an unrelated sting while attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl for sexual abuse by PEST (Predators Exposed Sting Team).

Danielle Edney sometimes goes by the name “Ariana Grande.”

According to his Facebook profile, Danielle Edney founded “Transgender Trust.”

Danielle Edney attempted to crowdfund £13,000 for his “charity” but failed to raise any money whatsoever.

In the crowd funder description, he described Transgender Trust as a “charity” and himself as the “charity’s director.” Transgender Trust is not registered with the UK’s Charity Commission.

In May of 2022, Danielle Edney was caught in a predator sting after communicating with who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.

The account was a decoy managed by the predator hunters at STOP Sting.

The group explained that Danielle Edney told the 13-year-old to “pack an overnight bag and bring her school uniform and bikini.”

He also reportedly instructed the decoy to visit a sexual health clinic for condoms before the meeting and allegedly spoke of using restraints on the child.

At the intended meet-up spot, Danielle Edney was confronted by the paedophile hunters, who then passed the evidence over to the police.

During the May sting, Danielle Edney confirmed he was 29 years old at the time and was attempting to meet a 13-year-old child.

He made the excuse that he seeks out children for sex because of his lack of success with adult dating and also stated he has a lot in common with 13-year-olds.

He admitted to predator hunters that he had been previously arrested for impersonating a police officer at the pride parade in Crawley, West Sussex, because he had been carrying police-grade handcuffs.

He claimed the handcuffs were for “protection” but didn’t specify from what.

“I’m a transwoman of God, I’ll tell you the truth,” Danielle Edney said during his first sting before confessing to talking to children online since 2019.

He also claimed he was struggling with demons who directed his actions.

“Okay, the majority of this incident is my fault, but some of it is down to my demons, Beelzebub and Lucifer,” Edney told the paedophile hunters.

Footage of the May sting was uploaded to Twitter on January 29 and began to attract attention.

Danielle Edney was ultimately arrested on May 14 following the sting.

He was released from custody shortly after and soon became increasingly vocal online against paedophile hunting groups while using the social media handle “Sussex Bail Bonds.”

In December of 2022, Danielle Edney would be caught in a predator sting once again by an unrelated paedophile hunting group, initially unaware of his past criminal history.

When asked why he pursued children for sex, Danielle Edney repeatedly insisted that he had “uncontrollable sexual urges.” He stated he had never had sexual relations before and consumed pornography, as well as used sex toys to address his desires.

“Because I’ve not had sex in my entire life because I’ve not had what you guys have got, which is a proper relationship,” Danielle Edney said.

The team passed the evidence on to police, and Danielle Edney was again arrested. The Crown Prosecution Service allowed the pervert to be remanded into custody.

As well as being sentenced to four years, a five-year extended sentence was also given.

He was told to register as a sex offender, and a sexual harm prevention order was put in place.


If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.