PAUL NIXON CAUGHT IN CEREDIGION TRYING TO MEET 15-YEAR-OLD BOY IN CARMARTHEN

In a disturbing case that unfolded in early 2021, Paul Nixon, a resident of Rhydlewis in Ceredigion, became the focus of a serious criminal investigation after engaging in highly inappropriate and illegal communications with an individual he believed to be a 15-year-old boy. The incident, which took place over several weeks, involved Nixon exchanging explicit messages, images, and videos with what he thought was a minor, but was in fact an adult operating under a false identity.

According to court proceedings, Nixon initially contacted a profile on the popular networking and dating platform Grindr. The profile did not display an age, but the person managing it informed Nixon early on that he was a 15-year-old boy. Despite this, Nixon continued the conversation, exchanging contact details and moving the dialogue to WhatsApp. Prosecutors revealed that from the outset, it was made clear that the individual was a minor, yet Nixon's actions did not cease. Instead, he sent a provocative picture of himself in his underpants, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the age of the person he was communicating with.

Over the course of the following weeks, the exchanges intensified, with Nixon sending approximately 900 messages via WhatsApp, along with dozens of text messages. During these conversations, Nixon expressed a desire to kiss, cuddle, and engage in sexual activity with the supposed 15-year-old. The pair discussed plans to meet in Carmarthen for sexual encounters. However, on two separate occasions, Nixon arranged taxis to transport him to the meeting point but subsequently canceled these plans, citing various excuses to avoid the rendezvous.

Further incriminating evidence revealed that Nixon told the decoy he had purchased lubricant and assured him he would be gentle during any encounter. He also sent a series of explicit photos and videos of himself and requested similar material from the minor. Concerned about the potential legal repercussions, Nixon advised the decoy to delete all messages and images, claiming that their discovery could lead to serious trouble for him.

On October 10, the individual operating the decoy profile reported the communications to the police, providing copies of the messages. The following day, law enforcement officers executed a search at Nixon’s residence and seized his electronic devices. Nixon was subsequently arrested at his home in Rhydlewis and faced charges related to attempting to communicate with a child under 16 for sexual purposes and grooming behavior aimed at meeting a minor for sexual activity.

During court proceedings, Nixon, who has a prior conviction for a drink-driving offence, pleaded guilty to the charges. The court acknowledged his guilty pleas by granting a 25% reduction in his sentence. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison, with the possibility of serving up to half of that term before being released on licence. Additionally, Nixon was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life, reflecting the severity of his actions and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.