GOWER SEX OFFENDER STEVEN MORRIS SENTENCED AFTER GROOMING PLOT IN SWANSEA

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, Steven Morris, a resident of Gower, was sentenced after engaging in a series of predatory and grooming behaviors targeting what he believed were underage girls in Swansea. The incident unfolded over several weeks, during which Morris exchanged sexually explicit messages and photographs with what he thought were two young girls aged 13 and 14. Unbeknownst to him, these interactions were orchestrated by Swansea-based paedophile hunters, who had set up fake profiles to catch individuals attempting to exploit minors.

According to court proceedings, the 55-year-old Morris first made contact with the decoy profiles on a social media platform in November of the previous year. Prosecutor Ian Wright detailed that the communication quickly turned sexual in nature, with Morris sending explicit messages, including photographs of his genitals and a video of himself performing a sex act. Despite being informed of the girls' ages, Morris persisted in his attempts to engage with them, expressing his desire to have sex with the minors.

The court was told that Morris even made disturbing comments about using protection, indicating a disturbing level of intent. He also inquired whether he could have sex with one of the girls and her mother, revealing a troubling mindset. The fake profiles, referred to as 'decoys,' were part of an operation by Swansea paedophile hunters aimed at identifying and apprehending individuals seeking to exploit minors.

On December 5, Morris traveled to Fendrod Lake within the Swansea Enterprise Zone, where he was approached by members of the vigilante group. When he attempted to leave the scene, he drove off, colliding with one of the group members in the process. Later that day, Morris was contacted by the group on his mobile phone, leading to a meeting in Swansea city center. He was subsequently detained by the vigilantes, and police were called to the scene.

During a search of Morris's phone, authorities discovered sexually explicit communications with what appeared to be a 13-year-old girl, including a topless photograph sent by the minor. The identity of this girl remains unknown, and it is unclear whether she was another decoy profile from a different paedophile hunter operation. Morris, who resides on Gowerton Road in Penclawdd, Gower, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of inciting a child to perform a sex act, one count of attempting to incite a child to perform a sex act, and possession of an indecent image.

At sentencing, Recorder Paul Hopkins QC condemned Morris's actions as part of a 'planned, predatory, and grooming' campaign. He emphasized that Morris's conduct had brought shame upon himself and his family. The court sentenced him to 14 months in prison for each of the inciting and attempting to incite charges, and three months for possessing the indecent image. All sentences are to run concurrently, resulting in a total of 14 months, suspended for two years. Additionally, Morris will be on the sex offenders register for ten years and subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years, restricting his contact with children and his internet access.