CARDIFF MAN JAILED FOR GROOMING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL WITH SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MESSAGES
A man from Cardiff named James Vaatstra, aged 35, has been sentenced to jail for sending inappropriate messages to a 14-year-old girl via Snapchat.Vaatstra was aware that his victim was only 14 when he sent her a video of himself masturbating.
He also made arrangements to pick up the girl in an old ambulance, which had been converted into a campervan, and drove her to Ogmore-by-Sea.
During this trip, he reportedly gave her cannabis and asked her to cuddle him while in the van.
The incident was reported after a concerned parent of one of the girl’s friends noticed suspicious comments made by the victim.
Police arrested Vaatstra on September 21, 2021, the day following the call.
During a search of his van, officers discovered numerous sex toys and a bed, along with footage similar to what the victim described on his phone.
A message to the girl, titled ‘DADDY’, included the words: “Haha if I liked prison food then I would of for you baby already taking a naughty risk meeting but I ******* love you !!!Xxx,” which was linked to Vaatstra’s Snapchat account.
He was charged with meeting a girl under the age of 16 following grooming.
Vaatstra pleaded guilty and appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on October 14, where he received a sentence of two years in prison.
Additionally, he was subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.
Detective Constable Sam Evans praised the person who raised concerns and warned about online predators targeting children.
The case emphasizes the importance of online safety awareness and urges the public to report suspicious activity, especially grooming behaviors.
