PONTYPOOL MAN SNARED BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS SENTENCED
A man who told a “13-year-old girl” that he loved her and wanted her to be his girlfriend was sentenced after being caught by paedophile hunters.Daniel Wheatstone, aged 38, from Park View in Pontypool, was caught in an online sting operation and subsequently arrested by police in August 2022.
The sting operation During a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that Wheatstone had been communicating with a person he believed to be a young schoolgirl, but who was actually an adult posing as a decoy managed by the paedophile hunting group Dank Dragon.
Prosecutor Martha Smith-Higgins explained to the court that Wheatstone sent increasingly sexual messages to the decoy, including offers to teach her how to masturbate and suggestions that they run away together.
“He asked her to be his girlfriend, expressed love for her, and proposed sharing a hotel room as boyfriend and girlfriend,” she stated.
“She told her that sex is for everyone, not just adults.
He said he loved her and wanted to kiss her.” The charges Wheatstone pleaded guilty to attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity and to engaging in sexual communication with a child.
He also admitted to possessing 13 prohibited images of children and 94 extreme pornographic images, including depictions of bestiality.
Wheatstone had no prior criminal record.
Mitigation Defence solicitor Peter Donnison informed the court that Wheatstone has a learning disability resulting from a brain injury and currently claims benefits.
He pointed out a “significant and unexplained” four-year delay in bringing the case to court and urged the judge to consider this factor.
Mr Donnison stated: “The defendant feels shame for his actions and would find it difficult to cope in custody.” Sentencing Judge Christopher Felstead sentenced Wheatstone to a 12-month community order, which includes a 15-day requirement to participate in a rehabilitation activity.
He is also required to register as a sex offender for five years and is under a five-year sexual harm prevention order.
Additionally, Wheatstone was ordered to pay £600 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
