HEREFORD PAEDOPHILE ORDERED TO JAIL FOR CHILD ABUSE AND ONLINE GROOMING

A highly disturbing case involving Kyle Hughes, who has been convicted of sending explicit sexual messages to an undercover police officer posing as a 12-year-old boy. Hughes believed he was communicating with a pre-pubescent child, but he was actually speaking with an officer, and the child was a decoy. During their exchange, Hughes expressed a preference for boys aged 12, inquired about the child's genitals, attempted to incite masturbation, and sent explicit images of his genitals along with those of another man. His phone contained thousands of child abuse images, some stored on a USB stick hidden from police, and there were conversations on Telegram about the abuse of minors. Hughes, aged 31, was sentenced to 58 months in Worcester Crown Court. Judge Salmon labeled his crimes as "disgusting" and highlighted the aggravating factors, including his previous convictions, the extent of the child abuse images, and the age disparity. He had been on licence and subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order when he committed these offences. Hughes expected a light sentence but was given a custodial term after pleading guilty to 10 offences, including attempting to engage a child in sexual communication and breaching court orders. The court emphasized his significant risk to children, indicating the potential for future harm. Hughes was described as someone who poses a serious threat, with the judge stating, "You are someone who does pose a significant risk of causing substantial harm to children and seeking out individuals." The sentencing was made more severe considering his history and the nature of his crimes.