By Our Reporter
LONDON (CONVERSEER) – A paedophile who exchanged what investigators described as “utterly depraved” messages detailing plans to rape children as young as six has been jailed for life following a major National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.
Edward Gratwick, 68, from Mitcham in south London, used encrypted platforms including Teleguard and Session to communicate with offenders both in the UK and overseas. According to the NCA, the material recovered from his devices ranked among “the worst” ever encountered by specialist ch!ld abuse investigators.
Gratwick was arrested at Stansted Airport in March as he attempted to board a flight to Romania. Intelligence had alerted officers to a UK national discussing plans online to meet another individual abroad to sexually abuse a nine‑year‑old girl. That individual was later identified as Gratwick.
During the arrest, officers recovered items they believe were intended for the abuse of children. A subsequent search of his home uncovered more than 1,300 indecent images of children, including 632 Category A images—the most serious classification. Investigators also found extensive chat logs in which Gratwick discussed child sexual abuse with people he believed had access to girls aged between six and ten.
Following a trial at Guildford Crown Court, Gratwick was convicted of 38 offences, including arranging or attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and distributing and possessing indecent images of children.
On Friday, January 23, Judge Claire Harden‑Frost imposed a life sentence, ordering Gratwick to serve a minimum of 20 years before being considered for parole. Addressing him in court, she said:
“You have shown yourself to be utterly manipulative. You possess the tools to deceive and avoid detection, and you have shown no remorse. Your offences speak for themselves.”
The judge dismissed Gratwick’s claim that he had merely been “investigating the world of child abuse,” calling it a “desperate attempt to avoid conviction.”
During the hearing, Gratwick, wearing a blue puffer jacket and glasses, appeared emotionless, raising his eyebrows at members of the public as he was led from the dock.
Defence counsel Kathryn Wilson described him as “somewhat of a Walter Mitty character,” suggesting elements of fantasy in his behaviour, though she acknowledged he had previously assisted authorities in unrelated matters.
The offences spanned from February 2023 to March 2025. Gratwick had earlier pleaded guilty to possession and supply of a Class B drug but was acquitted of one count of arranging or facilitating a ch!ld s3x offence.
After sentencing, Robbie Weber, specialist prosecutor for the CPS, said: “The abuse Gratwick described inflicting on young children was abhorrent. The evidence showed he was intent on causing harm and willing to pay significant sums to do so. He not only sought to satisfy his own sexual desires but encouraged others to commit equally horrific crimes.”
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The NCA confirmed that overseas law enforcement partners arrested the individual Gratwick had been communicating with, safeguarding three children in the process.
Senior investigating officer Danielle Pownall said: “The chat logs recovered from Gratwick’s devices are among the worst our investigators have ever seen. Despite overwhelming evidence, he continued to deny the offences, demonstrating a complete disregard for the safety and welfare of children.”
She added that work is ongoing with international partners to identify others involved and ensure any at‑risk children are protected.
