A bus driver from Bexleyheath has been jailed for three years after he sent explicit sexual messages to what he believed was a 12-year-old girl—who was actually a decoy account run by a paedophile hunter group.
Stephen Mayhew, 48, of Heavitree Road, Plumstead, worked out of Bexleyheath Bus Garage when he engaged in the disturbing communication between November 2023 and July 2024.
He was arrested on July 31, 2024, and later pleaded guilty to:
-
Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
-
Attempting to cause or incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
Mayhew was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, 16 June 2025.
Court Imposes Sexual Harm Prevention Order
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court imposed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), restricting Mayhew’s access to children and use of digital devices.
The sting operation, which led to his arrest, was carried out by an online child protection group, who passed evidence to police after intercepting the messages.
Public Safety Reminder
Authorities are reminding the public that anyone suspecting predatory behaviour online should report it to police or agencies like CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command).
If you have concerns about online grooming or child safety, contact CEOP at ceop.police.uk or call 101 to report a non-emergency. In immediate danger, always dial 999.
