ISLE OF WIGHT MAN AGED 77 SENT SEXUAL IMAGES TO 'CHILDREN' ON SNAPCHAT
A pensioner caught using Snapchat to engage in sexually explicit messaging with who he believed were children, as part of a police paedophile sting operation, has been sentenced.Leon Clifton, of St Mary's Road, Cowes, was communicating with what he believed were children aged 12 and 13.
However, they were undercover police officers.
The 77-year-old appeared at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday (October 10), for sentencing on numerous charges of attempted child sex offences.
On September 1, Clifton admitted to several offences.
Following criticism from the judge, David Melville, levelled at the CPS and Clifton's defence for agreeing on incorrect sentencing guidelines, one offence was dropped on a technicality and two others were downgraded.
Clifton admitted the following: - Two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
- One count of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
- One count of attempting to cause a child to watch sexual act.
- One count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
- One count of attempting to cause or incite a child aged under 16 to engage in sexual activity.
The offences occurred between May 13 and June 12 last year.
Undercover police officers caught Clifton in a sting operation, using 'decoy' children who received communications of a sexual nature, including photos of his erect penis and a video of him committing a lewd act, said Neil Trehame, prosecuting.
Clifton also requested photos of a sexual nature from 'children' supposedly aged 12 and 13.
The police recorded the conversations and subsequently arrested him.
Despite having no previous convictions, Clifton admitted to sending the messages but denied doing it for sexual gratification.
In mitigation, Tom Cook, said Clifton's probation report suggested he was "someone they could work with".
Mr Cook said Clifton had a successful career, but struggled with depression and addiction.
"He was addicted to Snapchat and had been extraordinarily reckless, falling down a rabbit hole," Mr Cook continued.
"He is exploring his motivations through therapy." When sentencing, Judge Melville, told Clifton: "You communicated with two decoy children and fell for it.
On the internet, you carried out activity that was utterly disgraceful." The pensioner was handed two years' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 45 rehabilitation sessions.
Clifton was also made subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
