CAERWYS MAN SENTENCED AFTER MESSAGING DECOY BELIEVING HE WAS TALKING TO CHILDREN
A MAN who believed he was messaging children was actually communicating with a decoy operated by a vigilante group.John Gregory, aged 58, of Llys Y Goron in Caerwys, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, December 12.
He previously, during a hearing at Mold Magistrates Court on November 15, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
Prosecutor Alexandra Carrier revealed that the offending occurred between November 27 and December 23 of the previous year.
Gregory had contacted what he thought were a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl, asking for explicit pictures and sending topless images of himself.
He also made comments about how they 'looked good' in their profile pictures.
However, he was in fact messaging a decoy managed by a vigilante group.
The 'Predator Exposure Group' subsequently visited his home and live streamed the sting on social media, which was viewed by over 1.5 million people.
Judge Rhys Rowlands criticized the vigilante group's methods, calling them 'distasteful' since Gregory's family was at home.
He stressed that such actions should be reported to the police.
Police intervened, and the vigilantes were instructed to stop filming but initially refused.
Gregory's defense argued he was a first-time offender and that his actions had severe impacts on his family.
The judge sentenced him to a 30-week suspended prison term for two years and ordered him to complete 45 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement sessions.
He noted that the suspended sentence would not be applicable if real children had been involved rather than decoys.
