OWEN ADDLETON

FLINTSHIRE MAN JAILED FOR RAFT OF CHILD SEX OFFENCES

A FLINTSHIRE man who lied to a schoolgirl about his age and then had sex with her has been jailed.

Owen Addleton, of Chester Road West in Shotton, appeared for sentence at Mold Crown Court on Monday morning.

The 22-year-old had previously admitted two offences of engaging in sexual activity with a child, one of inciting a child to engage in a sexual act and four of making indecent images of children.

The offending took place last year, when he was 20.

The offences involved him having sex with a female child numerous times after lying to her about his age, claiming to be a child himself.

He also asked the victim for indecent images, which she provided.

When his true age was discovered, the offences came to light, along with 107 indecent images at category A found on his phone and recordings of another female child from social media.

Addleton denied being attracted to children or searching for indecent images, but became angry when confronted about the images on his phone.

The victim's mother expressed concern about her daughter and the potential sharing of the images.

The court noted his mental health and neurodevelopmental issues, but Judge Rhys Rowlands determined he knew his actions were wrong and exhibited manipulative behaviour.

He was sentenced to 42 months in prison, with a sexual harm prevention order, notification requirements, and a 10-year restraining order for the victims' protection.