SEAN DUNK FROM BRIGHTON ESCAPES PRISON AFTER TRYING TO EXPLOIT A CHILD IN THE PHILIPPINES

A man from Brighton has narrowly avoided a prison sentence after admitting to attempting to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 13. Sean Dunk, aged 50 and residing on Craven Road in Brighton, was found to have used the Telegram messaging platform to contact a young girl from the Philippines with malicious intent.

The case was heard at Hove Crown Court on Thursday, 22 May, where Judge Joshua Swirsky presided over the proceedings. During the hearing, Dunk’s legal representative, Hannah Hurley, presented mitigating circumstances on his behalf. Despite the gravity of the charges, the judge opted for a sentence that included a suspended prison term, reflecting a balance between punishment and rehabilitation.

Judge Swirsky sentenced Dunk to two years in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years, meaning Dunk would not serve time unless he committed further offences within that period. Additionally, Dunk was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid community work, emphasizing the importance of restorative justice.

Furthermore, the court mandated that Dunk participate in up to 20 days of rehabilitation activities, aimed at addressing underlying issues related to his offending behavior. He was also required to pay prosecution costs of £150 and a victim surcharge of £187, which are standard penalties intended to support the criminal justice process.

In addition to the community and financial penalties, Dunk was subjected to strict registration and monitoring requirements. He was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years and to adhere to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration. This order is designed to restrict his access to children, the internet, social media, computers, and phones, thereby reducing the risk of reoffending.

According to Sussex Police, the charges stemmed from messages exchanged on Telegram between Dunk and an adult in the Philippines. These messages allegedly involved offers to provide children for sexual activities in exchange for payment. The communication reportedly began on Tuesday, 28 May 2024. Dunk was identified through intelligence sources and was subsequently arrested in Brighton on Tuesday, 16 July.

Authorities emphasized the seriousness of the case, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat online exploitation and protect vulnerable children from harm. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and the role of intelligence in uncovering and preventing such criminal activities.