THOMAS SERPELL

PAEDOPHILE ASKED NINE-YEAR-OLD TO BE HIS 'BOYFRIEND'

A man engaged in inappropriate messaging with a nine-year-old child, expressing sexual interest and requesting the boy to be his boyfriend.

He instructed the child to delete these conversations and advised him not to inform his mother, which helped him hide his actions.

Thomas Serpell, aged 28, sent numerous messages that were described as disturbing and sexual in nature.

In these texts, he asked the boy to be his boyfriend, requested kisses, and inquired whether he could see the child unclothed.

During a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, it was reported that the young victim felt confused and uneasy due to the messages.

The child revealed that he was afraid to go out alone, struggled with eating and sleeping, and had become increasingly isolated, expressing feelings of despair and the desire not to be here anymore.

Concerns about self-harm were also raised.

Serpell, who resides on Regent Street in Aberaman, admitted to engaging in sexual communication with a minor.

Although he was previously of good character, he claimed that his actions were triggered by a seizure caused by epilepsy.

The judge rejected this justification, stating that epilepsy does not justify such offences.

He was sentenced to a year in prison and was issued with a restraining order, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and requirements to register as a sex offender for a decade.