POWYS MAN SPARED PRISON AFTER SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CHAT WITH DECOY TEENAGER
A vulnerable young man has been spared prison for sending sexually explicit messages to a teenage decoy after being doorstepped and filmed live on social media by an adult vigilante group at his family's home.Owain Roberts, 24, now living in Forden, near Welshpool, told the 'girl' to keep their conversation a secret, which went "very sexual quickly" even after the decoy told him she was 13, including asking her for sex, and telling her to carry out sex acts on herself.
The chat carried on from January 25 to February 4, 2023 before the decoy made contact with a group on Facebook.
Several volunteers from the vigilante group went to Roberts' family home in Gobowen, near Oswestry and started recording the confrontation live on social media.
The recording lasted 49 minutes, during which time Roberts admitted messaging the 13-year-old for sex.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard on Friday, November 29, that Roberts' mother told the group to come into the house to stop neighbors from watching.
She explained to them that her son's childlike attitude is a symptom of XXY syndrome, and that she had removed Snapchat from his phone and monitored his internet activity after he had previously contacted under-18s.
During a police interview, Roberts wrongly thought it was acceptable to ask the 'girl' for sex because she was over 13 years old.
The age people can legally consent to sexual activity is 16.
Roberts, who said he deeply regretted what he'd done and promised not to do the same in future, told police that he was curious about sex because he had not been in a relationship before.
He spoke about the effect the doorstepping had on his mental health and family and that he wanted to take his own life.
The judge considered Roberts’ difficulties including his functioning age which is a lot younger than 24.
His Honour Judge Anthony Lowe said he had considered Roberts’ challenges and stated he had a sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years and was ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation requirement days with the probation service as part of his suspended sentence.
The judge also mentioned the influence of vigilante actions on Roberts and his family, and highlighted the importance of proper legal procedures in such cases.
Roberts' barrister described him as functioning much nearer to a 13-year-old, and emphasized his remorse and shame.
The court acknowledged his vulnerabilities but also noted the risk of reoffending.
Ultimately, the court suspended his seven-month prison sentence for two years, emphasizing that if he breaches the order again, he will face imprisonment.
