A British Paralympic gold medalist swimmer, Gareth Duke, has been sentenced following an online sting operation where he solicited sexual activity from someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. The incident occurred between May 25 and June 2, 2023, and involved Duke attempting to arrange a meeting with the minor, which ultimately turned out to be a decoy set up by the Child Online Safety Team.
During a court appearance at Newport Crown Court, Duke, aged 39, received a six-month jail sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete a 30-day rehabilitation program and must register as a sex offender. Duke admitted to the charges against him, acknowledging that he was aware he was communicating with a minor when he stated that “age was just a number.”
In testimony, prosecutor Ben Jones revealed that Duke had arranged for the girl to travel approximately 140 miles from Portsmouth to South Wales, where he suggested they engage in intimate activities, including asking her to strip on camera. Duke reportedly requested explicit photographs, even suggesting that he would show her a good time.
Duke’s defense team argued for a more lenient sentence, highlighting his health challenges, including being registered blind and requiring kidney dialysis three times a week. His lawyer, Alice Sykes, indicated that Duke has no prior convictions and has cooperated fully with the legal process, suggesting a realistic prospect for rehabilitation.
Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant addressed Duke’s actions sternly, stating he had “no doubt” Duke understood he was speaking to a minor. The judge characterized Duke’s behavior as “predatory offending” and emphasized the seriousness of the crime, noting that the legal age of consent in the UK is 16. Despite the gravity of the situation, the judge acknowledged Duke’s expression of remorse and his lack of a criminal history, which led to the suspension of the sentence.
In addition to his legal penalties, Duke will be subject to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order, which will impose restrictions on his online activities to mitigate the risk of reoffending.
Duke is a notable figure in the world of sports, having won a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke at the Athens 2004 Paralympics, along with a silver medal in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and a bronze in the 4x50m freestyle relay that same year. He was also crowned the 2006 World Champion in the 100m breaststroke.
Born with Alport’s syndrome, a rare inherited kidney disorder, Duke faced significant health challenges throughout his life. This condition can lead to kidney failure and may also result in hearing and vision impairments. He underwent kidney transplants from his father in 2006 and his uncle in 2010; however, both transplants ultimately failed, prompting his retirement from competitive swimming in 2011.
