NELSON MAN CAUGHT IN ONLINE CHILD SEX STING SENTENCED TO SUSPENDED PRISON
A man named Thomas Devasia, 47, of Smith Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.The Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard he thought he was having a sexual online conversation with a 12-year-old girl but was actually speaking with an undercover police officer.
Devasia asked the decoy for a picture of her in her school uniform and also suggested she could send a naked photo.
He attempted to call her multiple times and placed a video call when she said she was in the bath.
When arrested and his phone was seized, review of the data showed he believed he was interacting with a young girl and had said she was very young.
He claimed during interview that he was not told the girl was 12 and denied being sexually interested in children.
Devasia, who has no previous convictions, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, with a 40-day rehabilitation requirement, and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years.
He was also ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge.
