NAVY VETERAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL COMMUNICATION WITH A CHILD
A Navy veteran named Benjamin Taylor, aged 30, was involved in a shocking case where he attempted to engage in sexual communication with a child.The incident came to light when he was talking to an undercover police officer posing as a 12-year-old girl on Snapchat.
Taylor claimed he was 17 but initially pretended to be 24.
He repeatedly asked for her bra size and requested images from her.
The court heard that he sent explicit pictures to the officer, including one with his pants around his ankles, which was obscured, and later one in boxer shorts.
The conversations continued into August 2023, with Taylor making continued requests for pictures and sending a graphic image partially covering his genitals.
On September 6, he asked if she was 'horny.' He was arrested on October 10, 2023, after police analyzed his phone, which showed searches like 'young teen.' In police interviews, he gave no comment but later pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child at Teesside Magistrates' Court.
The incident took place in Redcar.
He was sentenced to ten months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Taylor has a prior conviction and is currently no fixed address, but his legal representative stated he is in full-time employment as an electrician and was previously in the Navy.
The court deemed him manageable in the community and emphasized his lack of recent convictions as a basis for rehabilitation.
