CORNISH MAN AVOIDED PRISON AFTER ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL COMMUNICATION WITH A CHILD
A Cornwall man has avoided prison after attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child in Buckinghamshire.Andrew Cox, 37, was given a community order at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court after he attempted to communicate with a child on WhatsApp and Rando chat.
The court heard how Cox, of Babis Farm Way, Saltash, Cornwall, had intentionally attempted to communicate with a person he reasonably believed to be over 16 during an incident in Aylesbury.
The offence was committed on March 22 last year.
He pleaded guilty to a single count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child during a hearing on January 8.
He has now received an 18-month community order with up to 35 rehabilitation days.
Cox was made subject to notification requirements with the police for five years and he was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.
As part of the order, he is limited on his use of internet capable devices or devices capable of storing images.
Cox is also prohibited from downloading certain software and living in the same household as a child under 16 without the consent of the child's parents.
He must also not engage in unsupervised contact with a child under 16 unless the contact is 'inadvertent' and 'not reasonably avoidable in the court of lawful daily life'.
The 37-year-old was ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £114 surcharge.
This must be paid in full by March 24.
