COLIN PARRY OF ASHBURTON SENT CHILD SEXUAL IMAGES AND HAD DISCUSSION WITH UNDERCOVER POLICE

In June 2021, a man from Ashburton named Colin Parry, aged 48, was involved in criminal activities related to child exploitation. He was caught after he exchanged messages with a girl he believed to be 12 years old, but who was actually an undercover police officer. Parry sent sexually explicit messages and images, including photos of his genitals and masturbating. According to Exeter Crown Court, Parry’s emails became increasingly sexualized, and investigators traced these communications back to him. Authorities discovered images of child abuse on his laptop.

Parry claimed to police that his actions were a mistake and insisted he had no interest in children. However, during court proceedings, he admitted to four charges: engaging in communication with the undercover officer and possessing indecent images of children.

Prosecutor Ms. Mary McCarthy outlined that the offending occurred between October 2017 and March 2018. Parry believed he was talking to a 12-year-old girl, although he stated he was in his 30s or early 40s. The conversations started with questions about whether she liked boys and escalated to discussions about his sex life. He also sent explicit images, including those depicting his penis and masturbation.

The images found on his computer included some classified as the worst category of child abuse. The prosecutor highlighted that Parry either sent or received these images.

Judge Davis Evans emphasized that such crimes are not victimless, as the children in the images had been harmed by adults.

Parry, of Home Park, was sentenced to a two-year community order and was required to complete 40 days of rehabilitation. Additionally, a sexual harm prevention order was imposed to oversee and restrict his future computer and internet use.