BERNARD MERRELLS FROM CLYDACH CAUGHT IN CHILD PREDATION SCHEME IN SWANSEA

In January 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Bernard Merrells, a 52-year-old man from Clydach, Swansea, who was caught attempting to engage in sexual activities with what he believed was a 13-year-old girl. The incident was uncovered through an undercover operation conducted by a dedicated child protection team, which successfully lured Merrells into a trap by posing as a teenage girl named Roxy Jones.

Merrells, who claimed to have experience as a male model and film extra, initiated contact with the undercover agents on a dating website. Under the pseudonym Roxy Jones, the team created a profile that clearly indicated the girl’s age as 13, while Merrells openly stated he was 50 years old and expressed his desire to find a girlfriend. The conversation quickly escalated, with Merrells exchanging mobile numbers and engaging in WhatsApp chats with the fictitious teenager.

During their online exchanges, Merrells requested explicit photographs from the girl and even offered to send indecent images of himself. He did not stop there; he sent multiple nude photos, including images of his genitals, and discussed the possibility of meeting in a hotel for sexual activity. Over a span of 12 days, Merrells sent a video of himself performing a solo sexual act, further demonstrating his intent. He also advised the girl not to tell her parents about their conversations, warning that it would be “bad for us.”

Once the online communication was deemed sufficient, the child protection team, known as “noncebuster,” handed over the evidence to South Wales Police. This led to Merrells’ arrest, and he subsequently pleaded guilty in November of the previous year to charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The court heard that Merrells believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl, but in reality, he was speaking to members of the child protection team.

During the sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, Judge Peter Heywood expressed his clear disapproval of Merrells’ actions. He stated that the court was in no doubt that Merrells’ intentions were sexually motivated. The judge remarked on the shocking nature of the case, questioning why a man of 52 would think it appropriate to engage in such conduct with a minor, and emphasized that Merrells’s behavior was utterly unacceptable. Despite acknowledging the risk Merrells posed to children, the judge sentenced him to a one-year suspended prison term and ordered him to complete a rehabilitation course.

Furthermore, Merrells was required to register as a sex offender and was subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. This order restricts his contact with children and limits his access to technology that could be used to facilitate further offenses. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable minors from predatory behavior.