ROYSTON COLE PLEADS GUILTY IN PONTARDAWE TO ONLINE CHILD SEX OFFENSES INVOLVING SWANSEA CHATROOMS

In May 2023, a serious case involving a 60-year-old man from Pontardawe, named Royston Cole, came to light after he engaged in disturbing online communications with what he believed was a 13-year-old girl. Cole, who resides in Bryn Morgrug, Alltwen, Pontardawe, was found to have sent a video of himself masturbating to the decoy account operated by an online chatroom decoy.

The incident unfolded when Cole initiated contact with a profile on the Chatiw app in August 2021. Unbeknownst to him, the profile was a decoy managed by an online safety operation, and the individual behind it repeatedly informed Cole that she was only 13 years old. Despite this, Cole continued the conversation, which quickly took a sexual turn.

Prosecutor Caitlin Brazel told Swansea Crown Court that during the chat, Cole asked the decoy if she had ever masturbated and offered to give her a 'free show.' The conversation escalated to the Skype platform, where Cole sent a video of himself masturbating. He also requested photographs from the decoy, inquiring whether she had ever taken any 'naughty ones.'

Following the report of these disturbing exchanges, police were alerted, and Cole was arrested at his home in October. Authorities seized two mobile phones and a laptop during the raid, but no illegal material was found on the devices. During police interviews, Cole admitted to sending the video but claimed he could not recall being told the girl was 13. He also denied any sexual interest in children.

It was revealed that Cole had a prior conviction for gross indecency with a child in 1992, although details of that offence were not available due to the age of the case. He had also previously pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child, which was considered during sentencing.

During the court proceedings, Recorder Simon Mills addressed Cole’s actions, noting that during the COVID-19 lockdown, he appeared to have turned to online chatrooms to seek interaction with females. The court emphasized that the case involved Cole’s conversations with what he believed was a 13-year-old girl, along with the video he sent.

In his sentencing remarks, Recorder Mills expressed disappointment that Cole attempted to justify his actions by citing a lack of intimacy in his marriage. He explained that, had the offence been completed rather than attempted, the sentence would have been 18 months in prison. However, considering it was an attempt and no actual child was involved, the sentence was reduced to 12 months, further cut by one-third due to Cole’s guilty plea, resulting in an eight-month prison term.

Furthermore, Cole was sentenced to serve a two-year suspension, during which he must complete a rehabilitation course and a sex offenders' program. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

The court warned Cole that any future offences could lead to imprisonment, stating he was 'just about' to be sent to prison if he reoffended. The judge’s remarks underscored the seriousness of online child exploitation and the importance of accountability for such offences.