MATTHEW CARTER

WIDNES MAN SPARED JAIL AFTER SEX CHAT WITH DECOY BELIEVING SHE WAS 13

A PAEDOPHILE has been spared an immediate custodial sentence, despite engaging in sick text sex chats with someone he thought was a child.

The adult, Matthew Carter, aged 24, was involved in depraved discussions which involved sexual acts.

The chats took place over a period of 12 days towards the end of February and start of March this year.

During the conversations, Carter, of Widnes, intentionally engaged in the chats for the purpose of sexual gratification.

He communicated with a decoy profile controlled by an adult pretending to be a 13-year-old, during which he sent text messages describing masturbation.

Magistrates noted that the severity and nature of the offence crossed the custodial threshold due to the involvement of a child, although not a real one.

Taking into account his guilty plea, they decided that a custodial sentence could be suspended as he is considered a ‘real prospect for rehabilitation’.

Carter was sentenced at Warrington Magistrates’ Court to six months in prison suspended for 24 months, including 60 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.

He is also required to sign the sex offender register for the next seven years and comply with a sexual harm prevention order for five years.

Additionally, the court ordered him to pay costs of £120 to the Crown Prosecution Service and a statutory surcharge of £154.