Paedophile Fairground Worker Convicted for Grooming Children at Barry Island Pleasure Park
Carl Lintern, a 42-year-old fairground worker at Barry Island Pleasure Park, has been found guilty of grooming children as young as 11 years old and exploiting them online. Lintern would coerce his victims into sending intimate images of themselves, using these images to blackmail them and threatening to share them online. Despite being confronted by parents of one of the victims in 2023, Lintern appeared unfazed by their accusations. However, a photograph taken by the parents was pivotal in alerting the authorities to his heinous activities.
At a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that an investigation by the Child Exploitation Team at South Wales Police uncovered Lintern’s pattern of grooming behaviour. He would provide gifts such as cigarettes, fairground tokens, and soft toys to gain the trust of his victims. Furthermore, Lintern used social media platforms to befriend children and then proceeded to send indecent images of himself, ultimately stalking them in their daily lives. Many of his victims were groomed at the fairground where he worked, with Lintern coercing them into sending explicit images by adding himself to their Snapchat accounts.
When challenged by police about his actions, Lintern denied any knowing sexual contact with the girls, instead claiming that the fairground had become a “Carl fan club” and that he was merely trying to help the girls. However, he pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing indecent images of a child and threatening to disclose private intimate photographs. Following a trial, he was convicted of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13 and two counts of sexual assault. Lintern was subsequently sentenced to three years and eight months in prison, in addition to being subjected to sex offender notification requirements.
Detective Constable Robyn Allen commented on Lintern’s predatory behaviour, stating that he used his position at the fairground to exploit vulnerable victims, exerting control over them and causing them to feel helpless. Allen expressed hope that the victims and their families could find some solace in Lintern’s incarceration, ensuring that he is no longer a threat to others. She emphasised that Lintern’s actions had no place in society, and the sentence serves as a warning to individuals involved in or contemplating similar offending behaviour.
The case highlights the importance of vigilance in safeguarding children and addressing online exploitation. Educational efforts and increased awareness are necessary to protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to such abhorrent acts. Authorities urge parents and guardians to educate children about online safety and encourage open communication to prevent potential grooming situations. By working together as a community, we can strive to create a safer environment for all individuals, especially the most vulnerable among us.