STEWART ALDERTON FROM KNIGHTON SENTENCED FOR ONLINE SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING POLICE OFFICER

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online predators, Stewart Alderton, a resident of Knighton, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation after attempting to engage in sexual communication with what he believed was a 12-year-old girl. The incident unfolded over a nine-day period in October 2020, during which Alderton, aged 40 at the time, exchanged explicit images and videos with the undercover police officer posing as a young girl named Sophie.

According to court records, Alderton initially believed he was communicating with a minor and proceeded to send sexually explicit images of his genitals, along with a video depicting sexual activity. The police had set up the online decoy to catch individuals seeking to exploit children, and Alderton’s actions were traced back to his residence on Wylcwm Place, leading to his arrest on October 27, 2020.

During the court proceedings, Alderton admitted to two charges: attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and causing a child under 13 to view an image of sexual activity. His appearance at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday, November 17, was marked by emotional distress, as he was seen weeping while the details of his offenses were read aloud.

Judge Timothy Petts sentenced Alderton to 58 weeks in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years, allowing him to avoid immediate incarceration. The judge emphasized that Alderton’s actions were highly inappropriate and questioned his judgment, stating, “You engaged in online chat with what you thought was a 12-year-old girl. You very quickly changed the conversation to sexual topics. Quite how you thought this was appropriate is a mystery.”

Prosecutor Paulinus Barnes provided further context, revealing that Alderton, then 38 and married, had asked the decoy about her age. Upon learning she was 12, the conversation rapidly escalated, with Alderton sending images of his genitals and asking for images of the girl. He also shared personal details, including where he worked, and discussed her school lessons. The prosecutor detailed how Alderton sent two images of his face, followed by explicit images of his genitals, and later a video of sexual activity, expressing a desire to be with her.

The last communication from Alderton was on October 24, 2020. He was arrested three days later, and during police questioning, he denied any contact with an underage child, a claim that was contradicted by the evidence seized from his mobile device.

Judge Petts acknowledged Alderton’s efforts to understand and address his distorted sexual thoughts since his arrest, noting that no actual child was at risk during the incident. However, he stressed the importance of public protection, stating, “The best protection for the public is to have a sentence hanging over you while you undertake work with probation so no 12-year-old is at risk in the future.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Alderton was ordered to complete 45 days of rehabilitation activities and 150 hours of unpaid work. He is also required to sign the sex offender register and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order for the next ten years, measures designed to prevent future offenses and protect the community from potential harm.