MARK PRITCHARD FROM TROSTREY CAUGHT IN PAEDOPHILE HUNTING STING NEAR NEWPORT AND MALPAS

In a serious case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and the vigilance of paedophile hunters, Mark Pritchard, aged 42, from Trostrey, was brought before Newport Crown Court in July 2017 to face charges related to his attempts to engage with a minor for sexual purposes. The incident unfolded after Pritchard, whose marriage had recently ended, sought to meet what he believed was a 14-year-old girl for sexual activity, specifically oral sex, but was ultimately caught in a sting operation conducted by the paedophile hunting group Petronus.

According to court reports, Pritchard initiated contact with the supposed underage girl through a messaging application. The individual he communicated with was actually an undercover member of Petronus, known as Jo Hunt. Prosecutor David Pinnell detailed the communication, stating that on June 8, Pritchard sent a photograph of himself, clearly showing his face and upper body, and introduced himself. The girl, who made her age clear from the beginning, was identified as 14, although Pritchard claimed to be 36, while he was actually 42.

Over the course of nearly a month, from June 8 to July 9, the messages between Pritchard and the undercover gradually became more explicit. The defendant appeared hesitant to discuss sexual intercourse, citing concerns about contraception, but he was more willing to engage in conversations about oral sex, encouraging the girl to perform it on him and stating he would reciprocate.

On July 9, Pritchard arranged to meet the girl at a pub in Malpas, Newport, believing her mother was not at home at her nearby residence. He arrived at the pub car park around 9:30 pm, accompanied by members of the Petronus group who were monitoring the situation. However, upon realizing that something was amiss, Pritchard panicked and left the scene, heading back to his home in Trostrey. He was followed by a member of the group and was detained before being taken to Cwmbran police station for questioning.

During his police interview, Pritchard claimed to have thrown his phone away, but it was later recovered. A search of his residence in Trostrey uncovered a pot containing cannabis in his bedroom, which led to his arrest on drug possession charges. In his statement to officers, Pritchard expressed feelings of distress and social isolation following his marriage breakdown, which he said had driven him to seek social interaction online.

His legal representative, defence barrister Richard Ace, emphasized that Pritchard was remorseful, stating, “He wants to make it clear to the court he is disgusted about what went on and wants to apologise for what is a serious matter. He realises his actions are going to affect others in his life, including his children.”

Judge Daniel Williams, presiding over the case, sentenced Pritchard to a year in prison. The court also imposed a sexual harm prevention order and ordered him to register as a sex offender. The judge highlighted the gravity of the case, noting that Pritchard believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl and had expressed a desire to meet her for sexual activity. Although no child was physically involved, the long period of communication and the explicit nature of the messages underscored the seriousness of his intentions.