WILLIAM FELTON AND SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENSES IN CONWY
William Felton, aged 38 and residing on Bryn Avenue in Kinmel Bay, faced the court in Caernarfon on Wednesday, October 11, to be sentenced for a series of serious breaches related to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).The court proceedings revealed that Felton had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of violating the terms of the SHPO, as well as three additional counts of failing to adhere to notification requirements mandated by law.
The SHPO, which had been issued last year, was a legal measure imposed due to Felton's prior attempts to engage in sexual activities with a minor.
This order was set to remain in effect until November 2030, reflecting the gravity of his previous offenses and the ongoing risk he posed.
Prosecutor Laura Knightly detailed to the court that all breaches occurred within a narrow window between August 2 and August 24 of the current year.
The violations began with Felton’s use of multiple aliases, including 'Jamie' and 'OpenMindOpenPervert,' to participate in online chatrooms.
He also created a new email address, all of which he was legally required to notify the authorities about, but failed to do so.
The breaches escalated when Felton engaged in online conversations with what he believed was a seven-year-old girl on the website 'Chat Avenue.' During these interactions, he attempted to arrange a 'play date,' a euphemism for engaging in sexual activity, with the young girl.
Further complicating the case, Felton was also communicating with what he thought was the child's mother, who was actually an undercover police officer.
The court was informed that Felton sent several explicit sexual messages to the supposed child, demonstrating a clear intent to exploit and harm a minor.
Law enforcement officers responded to the situation in August by visiting Felton’s residence.
During the search, they confiscated a mobile phone and a laptop.
Felton admitted to possessing another similar laptop, which he had not disclosed to the police and had kept hidden from view.
This admission constituted a third breach of notification requirements, further illustrating his ongoing disregard for legal orders.
Defence attorney Anna Price argued that Felton had previously sought counseling in an effort to address his issues and seek help before committing these offenses.
Despite this, the court was told that his pattern of behavior showed a disturbing persistence.
Judge Nicola Saffman addressed the court, emphasizing the seriousness of Felton’s actions.
She described his conduct as 'relentless' in breaching the court’s orders and expressed concern over his apparent inability to control his impulses.
The judge stated, "You cannot help yourself in the sexual pursuit of young female children.
You will do whatever it takes in order to gain access to children, female children, in order to abuse them sexually." The judge also noted that Felton’s offending behavior appeared to be escalating, which heightened the severity of his violations.
Concluding her remarks, Judge Saffman sentenced William Felton to a term of three years and four months in prison.
Additionally, an order was issued for the confiscation and destruction of all devices used by Felton in the commission of these breaches, including the mobile phone and laptops, to prevent further misuse or access to harmful material.
