A bus driver from Bexleyheath has been jailed for three years after attempting to engage in sexual conversations with who he believed was a 12-year-old girl. The account was in fact a decoy run by a paedophile hunter group.
Stephen Mayhew, 48, of Heavitree Road, Plumstead, previously employed at Bexleyheath Bus Garage, sent explicit messages to the undercover account between November 2023 and July 2024. Police arrested him on 31 July 2024 following the operation.
Mayhew later pleaded guilty to charges of attempting sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
He was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, 16 June 2025.
In addition to the three-year prison sentence, Mayhew received a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). This order restricts his access to children and imposes limits on his use of digital devices.
The sting was organised by an online child protection group that provided the evidence to the police, leading to Mayhew’s conviction.
Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online behaviour. If you suspect grooming or predatory activity, contact the police or organisations such as CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command).
For concerns about child safety and online grooming, visit ceop.police.uk or call 101 for non-emergencies. In urgent situations, always dial 999.
Originally published by UKNIP.
