ANDREW GARRATT

CARDIFF PENSIONER PLEADS GUILTY TO ATTEMPTING TO GROOM 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

A man with a history of convictions for sexual offenses expressed his desire to marry what he believed was a 13-year-old girl and showed sexual interest in her.

He engaged in conversations where he called her attractive, beautiful, and gorgeous, and mentioned that he often dreamed about her.

Garratt later explained that he was feeling lonely after his partner had died.

His contact with the decoy, who posed as a 13-year-old named Athena on Facebook, began after he sent her a friend request in October of the previous year.

Once the decoy confirmed her age, Garratt attempted to initiate sexual grooming, revealing his attraction and expressing a desire to meet in person.

He advised her to delete their messages to prevent her parents from discovering them.

Garratt was arrested during a planned meet with the decoy, and his electronic devices were confiscated.

Although he admitted to the conversations, he denied any intent to have sexual contact.

Garratt, who has 16 prior convictions and a caution for indecent assault from 2000, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communications with a minor.

He was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, required to attend a 40-day intervention program, pay costs, and is subject to a five-year order banning him from certain activities and a 10-year requirement to register as a sex offender.

The judge described Garratt's conduct as "utter filth" and said he should be "utterly ashamed," though he took into account Garratt’s mental health and health issues, including a benign brain tumour.