CARDIFF MAN JAILED FOR OFFERING TO PAY YOUNG GIRLS FOR SEX IN PARK
A man approached two young girls in a Cardiff park and offered to pay them £60 in exchange for sex.Cardiff Crown Court heard that Brandon Hopkins was in Poplar Park, located in the Fairwater district of Cardiff, in May of the previous year when the incident occurred.
While in the park, he encountered a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old girl, who became so uneasy by his presence that they ran in the opposite direction to escape.
Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told the court that Hopkins followed the girls and approached them, inquiring about their ages.
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The girls refused to disclose their ages and questioned Hopkins about his reasons for following them.
He then stated he thought they looked “fit” and propositioned them by offering to pay £60 for sex, the court heard.
Feeling scared and intimidated by his comments, the girls called him a “weirdo” and a “paedo.” They then arranged for one of their mothers to come and pick them up.
When the parent arrived, she drove around the area, spotted Hopkins, and contacted the police to report what had happened.
Police officers arrived at the scene and found Hopkins crying and speaking on his phone, having dialed 999 himself.
He was arrested and taken into custody.
During questioning, he admitted he had been in the park and claimed he was exercising as part of a weight-loss routine.
He acknowledged speaking to the girls but denied asking for sex or having any sexual interest in children, the court was told.
A victim impact statement was read aloud on behalf of one of the girls’ mothers, describing how her daughter was “in constant fear” of encountering Hopkins again.
Twenty-five-year-old Hopkins, who is detained at Parc Prison, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court via video link and pleaded guilty to inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and inciting a child to participate in sexual acts.
Defense lawyer Martha Smith-Higgins argued on behalf of Hopkins, stating: “This defendant is aware and accepts he will remain in custody.
The most significant mitigating factor is his guilty plea, which was entered sensibly.” Judge Lucy Crowther sentenced Hopkins, saying: “Considering all the circumstances, I am entitled to take everything I know about you into account.
Since the sentence I imposed in September 2024, you have committed little else but to continue with offenses related to sexual obsession with children.” She sentenced him to four and a half years imprisonment, with an additional four years on extended license.
A sexual harm prevention order was also issued.
