MICHAEL TYLER FROM HAYLING ISLAND JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN PORTSMOUTH

Repeat offender Michael Tyler, 37, from Hayling Island, was exposed by a paedophile hunter group after attempting to lure a child into sex while warning her not to tell anyone. The court heard that Tyler initiated a chat with the girl online, which quickly turned sexual. Portsmouth Crown Court was told that during a two-week period in January, Tyler sought to manipulate the girl with compliments to satisfy his own depraved desires.

Tyler sent the girl numerous explicit pictures and videos of himself after their conversations became increasingly sexual, especially as the exchange moved to WhatsApp. He told her she was beautiful and gorgeous, then added, "This will be our secret." Prosecutor Edward Hollingsworth described the ongoing sexual communication, stating, "He sent images of his penis and a video of himself performing a sex act."

He also suggested they meet up, proposing to visit her or go to a hotel. The court heard how Tyler tried to gain her trust for his own purposes, describing that "We don't have to have sex. I can touch and kiss you in places." He then sent another sex act video and told her, "You can touch if you want." Tyler continued to push to be gentle and loving, encouraging her to perform a sex act on herself.

An arrangement was made for Tyler to meet the girl on January 30 at Salisbury train station, as she was house sitting nearby. However, when paedophile hunters arrived at the scene, Tyler was missing. Subsequently, he was located and confronted at his home in Westfield Avenue, where he refused to comment. Police were called, leading to his arrest.

It was revealed that Tyler had previously served time for similar offences after being caught by a decoy in 2010, attempting to coerce a 14-year-old girl into webcam sex. Additionally, he breach his sexual notification requirements in 2019, for which he received a suspended sentence.

The court was told Tyler did not attend the arranged meeting with the girl. Judge Recorder Robin Sellers commented, "Obviously, you didn't go and had no intention to."

Highlighting his past offending, the judge added, "It is a recurrence of the same type of behaviour. You put yourself out there not knowing who you were talking to. You fell into the trap set by the decoy." The judge also pointed out Tyler's history of non-compliance with court orders, calling him "dangerous and a significant risk to the public."

Tyler was sentenced to five years in prison, with an additional one-year extended sentence. He pleaded guilty to four offences: attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child, arranging or facilitating a child sex offence, inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to cause a child under 13 to view sexual images.