CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS FROM GRANGETOWN CAUGHT IN POLICE UNDERCOVER OPERATION IN CARDIFF

In April 2021, a man from Grangetown named Christopher Williams was spared immediate imprisonment after being exposed as a paedophile through an undercover police operation. The court heard that Williams, aged 29, engaged in a series of explicit online communications with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, but who was actually an undercover officer.

Williams first initiated contact on August 4, 2020, by messaging an account where he commented that the girl, whom he believed was named Ruby, was 'cute.' The police revealed that during the course of the month-long online exchanges, Williams expressed a preference for younger girls, stating that he liked girls 'younger than him.'

Prosecutor Laurence Jones detailed that Williams continued to send explicit messages through various chat platforms, including Google Hangouts. These messages included comments about Ruby looking 'hot in her school uniform' and requests for her to send a photograph of herself in a bikini. The court was shown evidence of further disturbing messages, in which Williams described imagining her lips on his penis and asked her to send him material he could masturbate to while in the shower.

In addition, Williams sent a photo of his penis and expressed a desire to 'lick melted chocolate' off Ruby’s body. Despite these explicit exchanges, it was confirmed that Williams did not attempt to arrange a physical meeting with the girl.

Williams was arrested on November 11, 2020. During police interviews, he admitted to messaging the account but explained that he was going through a difficult period in his life and was not fully aware of his actions at the time. He expressed feelings of shame but insisted that he did not have a sexual interest in children.

In mitigation, Andrew Robert Taylor described Williams as a man of good character who had shown remorse by pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity. Taylor highlighted that Williams had the support of his family and the elders of his Jehovah’s Witness community. It was noted that Williams is an educated man, having graduated from Manchester University, and is currently employed full-time at a reputable company in Cardiff, where he has worked for many years and is well-respected.

Judge IWL Jones addressed Williams directly, describing it as a 'sad day' to see someone with no prior convictions in the dock. However, the judge appreciated Williams’ honesty in admitting his wrongdoing. The judge emphasized the gravity of Williams’ actions, stating, 'You sent a picture of your erect penis – you intended a 13-year-old girl to see that. You asked a person you thought was a 13-year-old to send you a photograph that you could masturbate to. You had imagined in effect oral sex, your penis in her mouth, and also, put in simple language, sexual intercourse with her. You did it all for your own selfish sexual gratification.'

Previously, Williams, of Ffordd James Mcghan, Grangetown, had pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, Williams is required to complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity program, perform 100 hours of unpaid community work, and pay £500 in court costs. A sexual harm prevention order will remain in effect for the next ten years to protect against future offenses.