DRIVING INSTRUCTOR AND MUSIC TEACHER PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD SEXUAL COMMUNICATION
A driving instructor and music teacher named Paul Swift from Ryelands Street, Hereford has pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to sexually communicate with a child.The incident occurred during a police operation where he tried to talk to an 11-year-old girl on the internet.
According to the court, on February 26 last year, Swift aimed to engage with an anonymous person under the age of 16 to seek sexual gratification, believing the recipient was over 16.
Prosecutor Nicola Ritchie explained that Swift engaged in a sexual conversation through private messages in an online chat room and believed he was communicating with an 11-year-old girl from Derby.
Swift told her he was 25 years old, while she stated she was 11 and at school.
He asked her questions of a sexual nature and inquired about her clothing.
The police traced the IP address to his home in Hereford, leading to his arrest.
It was noted that Swift's roles as a driving instructor and piano tutor gave him unsupervised access to children, and due to his occupation, the offence was considered more culpable.
He has no prior convictions.
Magistrates transferred the case to Worcester Crown Court for sentencing, which is scheduled for February 6.
He was released on conditional bail, with restrictions including the use of any internet-enabled devices that must retain history for police review, and he is barred from working or volunteering with children under 16.
Swift is required to reside at his home address in Ryelands Street.
