MAN BELIEVED HE WAS EXCHANGING SEXUAL MESSAGES TO 'GIRL', 14
A pervert sent pictures of himself performing a sex act to a 14-year-old 'girl' before realising she was actually an undercover police officer.Despite being told the 'girl' was only 14, Paul Dawkins soon turned the chat sexual and moved it to Snapchat, sending her images of his private parts and of him performing a sex act.
But Peterlee magistrates were told, in reality, the girl did not exist and Dawkins was actually in communication with an undercover police officer, between April 15 and 30, last year.
Paul Dawkins, formerly of Rainton Street in Seaham, but now of Marsh House Avenue in Billingham, admitted charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to watch an image of sexual activity.
Both offences were classed as attempts as there was no girl involved.
Magistrates decided to send the case to the crown court for sentence, with bench chair Dorothy Winter stating: “We don’t believe we have sufficient sentencing powers, so the case will be adjourned to take place at Durham Crown Court.
You have pleaded guilty and that will be taken into account.” Dawkins was bailed on the condition he does not communicate with any child under 16 and will appear at the crown court for sentence on May 11.
An interim notification order was made requiring the defendant to register as a sex offender, with the duration to be set at the next sentencing hearing.
