Originally released on Evening Wiki, Billy Channon, of RM8, Dagenham, was arrested on October 8 after allegedly engaging in sexual communications with minors and carrying a knife in a public place. He was ‘caught’ in a collaborative effort between two online safeguarding groups, Taking Action Against Predators and Justice4Kids.
Billy Channon allegedly contacted what he believed were two 12 year old children on social media, asking them to masturbate themselves for him, and then asked them to meet up with him for sexual contact.
As the safeguarding team conducted a lawful citizens arrest to await the attendance of the Metropolitan Police, Channon forced one of the team to ground, declared he had a knife, and pulled it out in an effort to attack them.
The safeguarding team attempted to pursue Channon but he was able to flee the scene. The police were made aware and his picture was circulated. In the evening on October 8 he was successfully arrested by the police.
On conviction sexual communication with a child carries a maximum sentence of 2 years per charge, and carrying a knife in a public place is likely to draw a maximum sentence of 2 years and 6 months. He would also be placed on the sex offenders’ register.
