MARTIN WOODWARD AND CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN ABERGELE AND LLANFAIRTALHAIARN

A man from Conwy, named Martin Woodward, became the subject of a serious criminal investigation following disturbing online communications with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. The incident unfolded when Woodward arranged to meet the alleged minor at shops in Chester for sexual activity, only for it later to be revealed that the girl was, in fact, an undercover police officer operating under the guise of a minor.

The case came to light after authorities traced communications from Woodward through the internet. Investigators discovered that he had been actively engaging with a user under the pseudonym Woody84 on the Chat 1B platform. This communication took place around June 20, during which he was in contact with someone claiming to be Leah, a 13-year-old girl. Court proceedings confirmed that Woodward, aged 38 at the time, was originally from Salford but had since moved to North Wales, with his current residence in the rural village of Llanfairtalhaiarn, near Abergele.

The messages exchanged between Woodward and Leah quickly became sexual in nature. Prosecutor John Philpotts detailed that the conversation progressed to more explicit discussions over Google Hangouts, during which Woodward inquired about Leah’s preferences in underwear, referencing French knickers and making sexual undertones. He encouraged her to skip school, pressing her to meet him at Chester Greyhound Retail Park to carry out sexual acts, despite knowing her real age and her status as a virgin.

In the course of their digital interaction, Woodward also sent Leah a photograph of a fit male, which was not of himself, along with a photo of a young female in revealing clothing, again, not Leah. The following day, June 21, he made arrangements to meet Leah at the Chester location at noon. However, Woodward did not attend the meeting. The very next day, he sent Leah an apology message and shared a provocative picture of a female dressed in sexually suggestive clothing, asking her if she would wear similar attire.

Law enforcement agencies identified Woodward using his Internet Protocol (IP) address, which contained his date of birth and residential address. On the morning of June 27, officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit visited his home in Cae Glas, Llanfairtalhaiarn, near Abergele, and arrested him on suspicion of child sex offences. During questioning, Woodward admitted to multiple charges related to his online conduct.

Legal proceedings took place at Caernarfon Crown Court, where Woodward pleaded guilty to charges of arranging or facilitating a child sex offence, specifically a sexual assault on a child. The court was told that Woodward’s communications involved actively planning to meet a minor for sexual purposes. His defense, represented by Ember Wong, acknowledged that he did not attend the Chester meeting and that the image he sent was of a fully clothed female, though she admitted this was part of a pattern of disturbing behavior and indicative of problematic tendencies.

The court was informed that Woodward was suffering from depressive symptoms, which he was managing improperly. Prosecutors highlighted that his actions demonstrated a clear intention to exploit the minor, leading to a sentencing that reflected the severity of his crimes. Judge Her Honour Nicola Saffman sentenced Woodward to five years and four months imprisonment for the offence of arranging or facilitating a child sex act. Additionally, she imposed a two-month concurrent sentence related to an attempt to cause a female under 16 to engage in sexual communication between June 19 and June 27.

Furthermore, Woodward was ordered to comply with the conditions of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order issued after a previous conviction, and he is also required to adhere to indefinite notification requirements as a registered sex offender. This case underscores the ongoing dangers posed by online grooming and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting minors from exploitation and abuse, especially in communities such as Abergele and surrounding areas.