Is it just me, or does this seem kinda wrong? (sex abuse blackmail plot)

[Ibn Khaldoun]

Or feared having his name falsely blackened.

It looks from the report like he did do something sexually involved and he was cautioned for it.

He could have just go his name cleared, or moved away, if he's so innocent.

 

[detective-boy]

although technically a caution is a criminal record

No, it isn't. Not 100% properly anyway.

Paragraph 34:

A simple caution is not a form of sentence (which only a court can impose), nor is it a criminal conviction. It is, however, an admission of guilt and forms part of an offender's criminal record.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/publications/home-office-circulars/circulars-2008/016-2008/

It is a sort of half-way house. If you do not have a criminal record, a caution does not give you one. If you DO already have a criminal record the caution may be attached to it. It would appear on an enhanced CRB check but not on a standard one.