What began as a routine evening on a quiet estate in Hampshire spiraled into something that looked more like a medieval siege than a modern-day protest.
For many residents of Leigh Park in Havant, it was a night they’ll never forget—a mixture of fear, fury, and full-blown chaos that left homes damaged, an elderly man injured, and an entire community stunned.
A Facebook Sting Sparks Outrage
The dramatic chain of events started when a vigilante group, Protecting Pompeys Innocent, streamed a live confrontation on Facebook.
The group accused a man of inappropriate communication with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl—who was actually a decoy from another team called the Child Online Safety Team.
Once the man had allegedly sent disturbing messages, a sting was arranged, and footage of the encounter quickly went viral.
Within hours, the video had racked up thousands of views, and a crowd began to form.
But this wasn’t just a few concerned neighbors gathering to watch—it quickly escalated into something far more dangerous.
A Community Overwhelmed by Rage
As the crowd grew, so did the tension. According to witnesses, some people drove in from miles away, including places like Paulsgrove, just to take part.
Soon, over 1,000 people—many of them aged between 18 and 25—had gathered outside the suspect’s property.
Local resident Richard Brixley described the scene:
“It was like medieval times. Someone had a flaming fence panel, riot vans were blocking the roads, and my partner was in the house terrified.”
Children on the Frontlines of a Riot
Shockingly, many of those who joined in brought children with them—some as young as 12.
“There were kids tearing down fences while their parents cheered them on,” one woman recalled.
Another, Toni, was horrified by what she saw: “Why take children to get out a paedophile!? Morals, yes, brains, zero!”
Missiles were thrown at police, chants of “paedo, paedo” filled the air, and officers had to call in riot gear as they faced everything from bricks to burning torches.
Amid the frenzy, a blind 80-year-old man was injured after a brick came crashing through a window.
Police Struggle to Regain Control
Hampshire Constabulary quickly deployed dozens of riot officers in an attempt to control the unrest.
Chief Inspector Alex Charge condemned the violence:
“Disorder as was seen last night will not be tolerated.
It can cause real fear for residents and puts our officers at risk of harm when they are there to protect the community.”
By 10pm, police had finally begun to disperse the crowds.
But the damage—both physical and emotional—was already done.
The Suspect Now in Custody
The man at the centre of the storm was identified as 38-year-old Lee Comley from Middle Park Way.
He was charged with arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and appeared in Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court where he was remanded in custody.
He is expected back in court on August 4.
One neighbor, who didn’t want to be named, said she was horrified when she realized the man being accused was someone she’d seen walking his dog nearly every day.
The Fallout and Ethical Debate Around Vigilante Groups
While some vigilante groups have played a role in securing convictions—thanks to the 2014 Channel 4 documentary The Paedophile Hunter which brought the movement into the public eye—there’s been growing concern about the impact of such stings.
Several men accused by online groups have taken their own lives, including 48-year-old father-of-four Adrian Smith, who died in February after being confronted by a group and released on bail.
He later jumped from a motorway bridge.
Still, data shows that evidence gathered by these groups has led to a sharp rise in convictions.
Vigilantes Speak Out Against the Violence
Despite playing a key role in launching the sting, Protecting Pompeys Innocent condemned the riots in Leigh Park.
“We do not condone violence or disorder in any way.
People who cause issues like this risk the police and government trying to shut our groups down,” they stated.
“If you see a sting happening, feel free to watch—but throwing bricks only puts others in danger.”
Residents Left Shaken and Divided
While many locals said they understood the anger behind the protest, they were appalled by how it spiraled out of control.
“I get the cause, but it caused more harm than good,” said Richard Brixley.
“Kids here were traumatised.
You don’t bring children to a riot.”
Another mother summed it up bluntly: “I’ve got three kids and kept them inside.
Anyone who brought theirs is vile.”
The Bigger Picture: Justice or Chaos?
This disturbing night in Leigh Park has reignited the national debate over citizen-led justice.
While the intention of exposing predators is often praised, the tactics used—and the mob reactions that can follow—raise serious questions.
In the end, a man is in custody, a community is in shock, and the consequences of blending online outrage with street-level action have never been more real.