An individual, John Whitfield, the Birchwood Paedophile, who has been found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with children has admitted to attempting to engage in non-consensual sexual intercourse with a woman in Warrington.
John Whitfield, residing at Layton Close in Birchwood, attended a plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday via video link.
The 37-year-old individual also pleaded guilty to two charges of sexually abusing the victim, whose identity must remain undisclosed due to legal obligations.
John Whitfield was previously registered as a sex offender for a previous offence in 2019 at the time of the current offence.
John Whitfield transmitted sexually explicit texts to an individual whom he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. Still, in reality, this person was a member of a group that exposed and apprehended individuals involved in child exploitation.
He was incarcerated for three years for the crime and was subsequently imprisoned again in 2023 for sending menacing text messages to a parish councillor.
John Whitfield, who was represented by Maria Masselis, admitted guilt for all three sexual crimes and has been held in detention since he was arrested.
The judge, David Swinnerton, cautioned him to anticipate a substantial prison term and stated that he would be sentenced next month.
UPDATE 16.03.25
A man who attempted to rape a mother while she was at the park with her young son had previously been caught by a paedophile hunter group. John Whitfield, 37, from Layton Close in Warrington, attacked the woman from behind and forced her into a wooded area in a horrifying incident that took place just before 2pm in July last year.
During the attack, he tried to rape her and committed further sexual assaults. The victim courageously fought back, kicking and biting Whitfield, while her terrified son watched on, screaming as the assault unfolded.
The woman managed to escape, grabbing her son and running away. In the process, she noticed Whitfield’s phone on the ground and picked it up. She then sought help from another woman nearby, who comforted her and called the police.
The victim provided the police with a description of her attacker, leading to Warrington response officers launching an investigation to locate John Whitfield. Within an hour of the incident being reported, Whitfield was arrested at his home address, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The victim’s quick thinking in grabbing his mobile phone was crucial to his swift identification. CCTV footage obtained by detectives during the investigation revealed the exact clothing Whitfield had been wearing at the time of the attack. By the time of his arrest, Whitfield had changed out of these clothes.
Officers secured a warrant for a further search of his residence and discovered the clothing hidden behind a shed in his back garden.
John Whitfield was charged with attempted rape, sexual assault, and assault by penetration, and he admitted his guilt at Liverpool Crown Court on August 28, 2024. When he appeared for sentencing at the same court the following week, he was given a life sentence with a minimum of four years and 137 days before he can be considered for parole.
John Whitfield was previously caught by a vigilante paedophile hunter group in 2019. According to reports in the Runcorn and Widnes World, Whitfield sent explicit messages to someone he believed to be a 12-year-old girl on Facebook.
However, the “girl’s” profile had been set up by the Net Justice Group to catch predators and was being operated by an adult member of the group.
During a sentencing hearing in August 2019, Chester Crown Court heard that Whitfield sent photos and videos of his penis and asked for sexual images in return. Whitfield, who lived in Runcorn at the time, admitted that he had added the girl but claimed he was drunk when he did so.
He entered a guilty plea because he “felt ashamed by his behaviour”, the court heard. A judge told him: “These disgusting events were uncovered when the evidence was obtained after you were arrested…”I take account of the mitigating factors but in my judgement this offence is so serious that only immediate custody is justified.[” He was jailed for three years and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
Although John Whitfield’s sentence was listed as four years and 137 days, he could serve longer. The Parole Board will have to deem him fit to be released in the future and if they don’t believe he has made the necessary steps to not be a danger to the public, he will remain in prison. He will also be on licence indefinitely when he is released. Cheshire Constabulary, who investigated the crime, said he has also been handed an indefinite restraining order against his victim.
Detective Sergeant Dave Gerrard said: “I would like to recognise the incredible strength and courage of the victim and her family throughout the investigation. The victim and the witness who stopped to help her were vital to our efforts to ensure John Whitfield faced justice for this horrific crime.”
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