SOUTH ESSEX PAEDOPHILE JAILED AFTER 'SCHOOLBOY' SEX CHAT
A south Essex paedophile has been jailed after he sent graphic sexual messages and photos to a 14-year-old schoolboy – who was actually an undercover police officer.Callum Barness had previously appeared at Basildon Crown Court, where he received a community order for possessing and distributing indecent images of children.
When police arrested him over his online schoolboy sex chat, they seized his phone and found he had been exchanging vile child abuse images with other paedophiles, including videos of babies being raped.
Recorder James Maxwell-Scott described Barness’s offences as “particularly unpleasant,” with descriptions of indecent photographs of both boys and girls.
He had used encrypted messaging apps to communicate with criminals.
Police found thumbnails for 39 videos showing penetration of children from babies to about ten years old.
Barness asked one paedophile: “You got any more crime vids?” and also inquired: “You got any younger?” He was living in a house in St Chads Road, Tilbury, when police raided him on August 8, following his online activity.
Prosecutor Carolyn Gardiner said Barness had sent a 14-year-old boy a friend request and asked: “You like a daddy?” and “I’m going to help take your virginity,” while pestering him for naked photographs and sending sexual images of himself.
The raid uncovered ongoing distribution of child sex images, possession of cannabis, and breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements.
He possessed electronic devices and a Revolut bank card he hadn’t informed police about, and used restricted apps.
Defence lawyer Jonathan Rosen stated a psychological report described Barness as “an individual with a history of adverse childhood experiences and exposure to trauma,” diagnosed with ADHD, with anxiety and depression, and traits of autism.
The judge sentenced Barness to three years in prison, noting full credit for his guilty pleas.
