Exeter sex offender jailed after attempting to meet teenager
Eddie Howard sentenced for multiple offences including breach of court orders
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A 26-year-old man from Exeter has been sentenced to over four years in prison after attempting to engage in sexual communication with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old boy.
Eddie Howard was caught by a paedophile hunter group earlier this year and subsequently arrested by police.
Howard appeared at Exeter Crown Court on 13th May, where he pleaded guilty to a series of charges including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, causing a child aged 13 to 15 to watch a sexual act, and breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The court heard that Howard engaged in inappropriate online communications between 9th December 2025 and 6th January 2026 via a friendship app and Whatsapp.
Unbeknownst to him, Howard was actually speaking to members of a paedophile hunter group rather than a 14-year-old boy.
Howard Sentenced
Howard was sentenced to four years and two months in prison for his offences.
He had sent several inappropriate messages and a video, reportedly of himself, performing a sex act.
On 7th January, the hunter group arranged to meet Howard at Exeter Quay where police were called and he was arrested.
Previous Offences
Howard has previous convictions for similar offences and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and suspended sentence at the time of these new offences.
During police interviews, he admitted breaching his Sex Offenders’ Register notification requirements but offered no further comment.
DC Saduni Loku Heeraluge described Howard as "a determined and prolific sex offender whose previous convictions have done little to curb his behaviour."
"He went to Exeter Quay believing he was going to meet a child...it demonstrates that Howard remains a danger to young people," DC Loku Heeraluge said.
“As soon as we were contacted by members of the group our officers attended and arrested Howard and we are pleased he has been brought to justice in such a swift manner.”