ABERGELE PAEDOPHILE KYLE PRITCHARD SENTENCED FOR ONLINE GROOMING AND SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Abergele, Kyle Pritchard, a 32-year-old man with a known history of sexual offences, has been sentenced to six years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving minors. The sentencing took place at Mold Crown Court on July 13, following a detailed investigation into his online activities and previous convictions.

Prosecutor Richard Edwards outlined that Pritchard, of Maes y Mor, Ffordd Gwelfryn, had a prior conviction for sexual offences, which resulted in a 22-month jail term in February 2017. During that earlier case, Pritchard had posed as a teenage boy on social media, using a fake profile picture that featured a muscular young man with an American sports car in the background. Under the alias “John Jones,” he attempted to persuade a 15-year-old girl to send him explicit photographs, even sending a picture of his genitals in an effort to meet her in person.

Despite being subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which explicitly prohibited him from communicating with females under the age of 16, Pritchard continued to engage in predatory behaviour. In August 2021, authorities were alerted when a woman reported that her 10-year-old daughter had been approached online by someone using the name “Kyle,” requesting her to send nude images. The parents discovered indecent images on their daughter’s phone, and upon questioning, the girl revealed that someone had asked her for “sexy pictures.”

Further investigation led police to Pritchard’s residence. Initially, he denied possessing any device capable of internet access, claiming he had no phone or electronic device. However, officers warned him that his house would be searched regardless, prompting Pritchard to produce his phone, which was subsequently seized and used as evidence. The police found that Pritchard had persuaded a 16-year-old girl to send him indecent images and had recorded her performing a sexual act on him.

During the court proceedings, Judge Rhys Rowlands emphasized the severity of Pritchard’s actions, describing him as posing a “significant risk to children” and being at a “high risk of re-offending.” The judge also ordered Pritchard to be registered on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. In his remarks, Judge Rowlands condemned Pritchard’s behaviour, stating, “It’s clear to me, both from what you did and from what you told others after, that you resented the terms of the SHPO. As such, I’m afraid it’s plain to me that, despite assistance offered to you by the probation service in the past, you have reverted to your previous behaviour.”

He further condemned Pritchard’s actions involving a 10-year-old girl, describing her as “only 10 – a primary school child,” and highlighting the disgusting nature of his conduct. The judge concluded by saying, “It’s quite appalling and disgusting, but still you did it; and you’ve done it previously. The simple inability to recognize the blame for your offending rests solely with you.”

In the earlier 2017 case, Pritchard had posed as a teenager online, using a fake profile picture, and had attempted to persuade a 15-year-old girl to send him photographs. He also sent a picture of his genitals to her and tried to meet her in person. When arrested, police found indecent images on his phone, including recordings of a 16-year-old girl performing a sexual act on him. Pritchard was sentenced to 22 months in prison and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years, along with a 10-year SHPO.

The court heard that Pritchard’s online interactions with the victims were highly sexualized and inappropriate. The 15-year-old girl involved in the 2017 incident expressed her fear of meeting him and her concern about his knowledge of her personal details, including her real name, appearance, school, and local area. Her mother’s intervention led to Pritchard’s arrest, and the case has once again highlighted the dangers posed by online predators, especially those with prior convictions and ongoing restrictions.