SWANSEA MAN CAUGHT IN CHILD SEX CHAT SENTENCED TO SUSPENDED JAIL
A man who asked a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl for "rude" selfies later claimed he had been trying to trap paedophiles online, a court has heard.A judge described Luke Pearce's claims that he thought he was being "cat fished" by a fake profile as "complete and utter nonsense" and said he was in denial about his sexual interest in young girls.
Alycia Carpanini, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that on August 22, 2024, police in Swansea received a call from members of an online group called Dank Dragon to say they were with a mate who had been interacting with a decoy account online.
Officers arrived at the scene and arrested Pearce, and the group handed over copies of conversations and screengrabs.
The court heard for the previous 10 days the defendant had been on conversation with a profile purporting to belong to a 14-year-old girl living in Cardiff.
During the course of the chats the defendant had told the decoy that she was "cute" and "cheeky", asked her for "rude" selfies, and repeatedly asked her for pictures of her in her underwear or bikini.
He sent the decoy a topless picture of himself.
In police interview, Pearce confirmed he was the one sending messages but believed the profile was fake and he was being "cat fished".
Luke Pearce, of Croft Street, Waun Wen, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty on the first day of trial to attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.
He has no previous convictions.
Ian Ibrahim, for Pearce, said the defendant is prepared to work with professionals as he "realises he needs help".
A judge called Pearce's claims of trapping paedophile hunters "nonsense", and stated he hoped Pearce was "no longer in denial" about his sexual interest in young girls.
He was sentenced to 16 months in prison (suspended for 18 months), ordered to complete a rehabilitation course and mental health treatment, and subject to a nightly curfew for three months.
Pearce will be a registered sex offender for 10 years and subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.
The judge warned that breach of curfew, non-cooperation with treatment, or failing to follow orders would result in prison.
