Sean Wallace attempted to rape a child under the age of 13 but was caught out by an undercover police operation

A Wood Green man has been jailed for 14 years and six months following an online undercover Met operation that exposed how he was planning to carry out disturbing sex offences towards children.

Sean Wallace, aged 43 and of Woodside Road, was sentenced to 14 years and six months imprisonment at Wood Green Crown Court for arranging the rape of a child under 13 and distributing an indecent image of a child.

During an undercover police operation in 2022 in which an officer posed online as a woman with access to a child, Wallace contacted the officer asking if he could sexually abuse the fictional child. He sent sexual images of himself as well as indecent images of other children.

During online chat and telephone calls Wallace spoke openly about his desire to abuse young girls and made arrangements to meet the woman in order that he could rape the child.

Wallace was arrested at his home address after he failed to attend the planned meeting stating that he was nervous and needed more time to build up trust with the woman before meeting her.

The examination of his mobile phone identified that Wallace was speaking online to numerous apparently underage girls.

Detective Sergeant Robert Blant, whose team led the investigation, said: “Sean Wallace is a dangerous predatory offender, who preyed on innocent and vulnerable young children.

“My team worked around the clock to bring Wallace to justice by going through large amounts of disturbing digital evidence collated from his online activities and seized from his home. I’m pleased that as a result of great policing work, we have prevented a dangerous individual from continuing to offend and ruin the lives of children or young people.

“Our dedicated teams will continue to apply their expertise in investigating child sexual offences to safeguard children and young people across London.”

As part of its ‘New Met for London’ plan, police officers are working closely with third sector partners, including The Children’s Society, to help young people, parents and carers spot the signs of sexual abuse and predatory behaviour online and offline.

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