A paedophile pilot, Michael Dyos, was apprehended in a police operation when he arrived to meet someone he believed to be a 13-year-old child. Michael Dyos had scheduled a meeting with the adolescent referred to as “Rory” at a parking lot in Littlehampton.
However, he would discover that the boy he had been cultivating an online relationship with was an undercover police officer.
On Monday, Lewes Crown Court was informed that a 59-year-old resident of College Road, Southwater, was already a registered sex offender for having downloaded over 1,000 indecent photos of minors.
Sarah Thorne, for the prosecution, informed the court that Michael Dyos had orchestrated the “ultimate fantasy” by arranging a meeting with the officer, whom he believed to be an underage lad.
Michael Dyos was apprehended in July 2024 for grooming an individual he believed to be a minor, whom he encountered via a genuine adult dating application.
Further details: A primary school girl was assaulted at a park by another child as numerous bystanders observed.
Ms. Thorne stated that “‘Rory’ informed him he was 13.”
“Rory unequivocally demonstrates his experience.”
“You promoted and nurtured that,” she informed Michael Dyos.
“I merely wished to continue the conversation,” Michael Dyos informed Lewes Crown Court.
“I was merely seeking companionship.”
Ms. Thorne stated, “He is a 13-year-old boy, and that is your perception of him.”
“Affirmative,” Michael Dyos stated.
It consisted solely of messages and fantasies.
“It is regrettable that this is the profile I encountered.”
Ms. Thorne stated, “Was it the ultimate escape to engage in sexual relations with this boy whom you have groomed online?”
“That was the situation, correct?”
Michael Dyos stated, “It was not in my thoughts.”
The ex-Virgin pilot was suspended following a 2021 conviction for downloading the most severe category of indecent photos of minors.
He received an eight-month suspended sentence and was registered as a sex offender until 2031.
Recorder James Hay stated that Michael Dyos had scheduled meetings with the officer in June and July of the previous year after being informed that the officer was a 13-year-old kid.
He drove his Audi to the parking lot, where he saw undercover police instead.
Meals and a cheesecake were discovered in his home refrigerator following conversations over Rory’s eating preferences.
“There exists a troubling history of your communication with adolescent males,” Recorder Hay stated.
Michael Dyos was sentenced to two years and six months in prison after admitting guilt to one count of arranging or facilitating the offence of causing or persuading a child to engage in sexual activity, as well as two charges of violating a Sexual Harm Prevention Order by using a hidden phone for communication.
The Sexual Harm Prevention Order, established prior to the occurrence of these acts, will remain effective until April 2031.
Detective Constable Justin Marsden, of the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, stated: “Dyos is a predatory sex offender who travelled to Littlehampton with the explicit intention of meeting a child.”
“Due to our team’s efforts, he will now serve time in prison, eliminating his threat to children.”
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