MAN CAUGHT BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTER GROUP
A man aged 38 was given a sentence that was suspended after he was apprehended for messaging what he believed to be a 14-year-old on social media.Glenn Brown, residing on Churchill Rise in Hemyock, admitted to trying to communicate sexually with a minor from January 12 to 19 in the previous year.
He pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity.
The court was told that Brown thought he was conversing with a girl named 'Olivia,' who was actually a bait set up by a paedophile hunter organization.
Prosecutor Warjinder Baines explained that Brown sent a full-front nude picture, requested additional images from the decoy, and discussed his sexual plans.
The record also revealed that Brown has prior convictions which are unrelated to this case.
The court heard Brown had been messaging 'Olivia', believing her to be a 14-year-old girl, who was actually a decoy set up by a paedophile hunter group.
Warjinder Baines, prosecuting, said Brown sent a "full-frontal" naked selfie to the decoy, requested images, and sent messages around what he wanted to do to her sexually.
The defendant has previous convictions for unrelated matters.
Lily Smith, defending, praised the "substantial and helpful" report from probation.
In mitigation, the court heard how Brown became homeless and struggled with addiction after his relationship broke down and he lost his job for the council.
Smith said the defendant has now secured stable accommodation and is "very willing" to engage with probation services.
Sentencing, District Judge Smith said: "You said the offence was not sexually motivated.
I disagree with that.
It is highly indicative of you being sexually attracted to young children." "You have said it was because you were lonely," the judge said.
"It is concerning that you sought to contact a child, rather than an adult." He noted that a downward adjustment would be applied to the sentence, due to the fact it was an attempted offence and not an actual child harmed.
Brown was handed a 42-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 150 hours of unpaid work and rehabilitation activity requirements.
He must also pay a £187 surcharge and court costs of £85.
He was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, as well as notification requirements for a period of ten years.
