MAN SENT SEXUAL MESSAGES TO POLICE DECOY WHILE TRAVELING ON COACH
A man named James Roberts, aged 28, from Allt y Carne, Goodwick, in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, was involved in online sexual communications with an undercover police officer he believed was a 12-year-old girl.The court heard that Roberts contacted a profile on RandoChat claiming he was "looking for a naughty girl," which was actually operated by an undercover officer claiming the girl was 12 years old.
The conversation then moved to Snapchat, where Roberts began sending messages about sex, masturbation, and nude pictures, telling the decoy that she was "never too young to start sending pictures." He also claimed he was having similar sexual conversations with a 14-year-old girl.
Police investigation showed these exchanges occurred while Roberts was traveling on a National Express coach from Gatwick to west Wales.
When police attended his home in Pembrokeshire on August 17, Roberts initially refused to come downstairs, citing anxiety, and was vague about his phone, which was never recovered.
He pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
The court sentenced him to 30 weeks in prison, suspended for two years.
He is required to complete a sex offenders program and will be registered as a sex offender for 10 years.
Judge Paul Thomas KC highlighted how Roberts had been in online contact with someone he believed was a 12-year-old girl and had sent her sexual messages, warning him to consider how he would feel if his own daughter faced similar situations in the future.
