Soldier Admits Attempting To Groom Child

A 25-year-old soldier has admitted attempting to groom a child after sending explicit online messages from his Army barracks.

Winchester Crown Court (see above) heard how Craftsman Sam Dallow thought he was contacting a 14-year-old girl.

In fact, it was self-styled 'paedophile hunter' Shane Brannigan, who contacted police.

Dallow, from Birmingham, entered a guilty plea after attempting to meet the 'girl' with the intention of engaging in sexual activity.

Judge Keith Cutler agreed to adjourn proceedings ahead of a pre-sentence report, with Dallow to re-appear in Winchester Crown Court in June, according to the Andover Advertiser. He's been released on bail.

The soldier will have to stay at a specified address, sign the sex offenders register and not use computers.

Cover image courtesy of Chris Talbot.