MAN WHO TALKED ABOUT HAVING SEX WITH 'CHILDREN' JAILED
Update 19/01/2025: A “dangerous” 42-year-old man from Bristol who committed more than a dozen online sex offences against children has been handed an extended 17-year prison sentence.Adam Pugh, of Southmead, admitted the offences and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday 14 January.
He was later charged before pleading guilty to the following 15 offences, which were committed between August and October 2025: Two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child.
Two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
One count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child.
One count of distributing an indecent photograph of a child.
One count of publishing an obscene article.
One count of attempting to arrange an offence of sexual activity with a child.
One count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Three counts of breaching Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Pugh was handed an initial nine-year prison sentence which was extended by a further eight years to a total of 17 years.
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Adam Pugh, a resident of Seneca Street in St George, Bristol, believed he was repeatedly pestering girls aged 12 for sex.
However, it was revealed that Pugh, who has developmental delay similar to mild learning difficulties, was actually engaging in lewd conversations with adults portraying themselves as minors either paedophile hunters or undercover police officers.
He was also found to have downloaded and shared indecent images of children.
The Bristol Crown Court was told that since his offending was uncovered, Pugh has imposed a self-ban on internet use.
The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to charges including attempted sexual communication with a child, two counts of arranging or facilitating a child sex offence, and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.
Judge Euan Ambrose sentenced Pugh to an extended term of eight years, consisting of four years in custody and four years on extended licence.
In his remarks, the judge stated, "I am quite satisfied you are dangerous.
This was persistent offending, undeterred by your arrest.
You had no way of knowing those you were speaking to were not real children.
You pose a significant risk of serious harm to children." Pugh was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was issued an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order intended to prevent further offences.
Prosecutor James Haskell explained that in June 2019, Pugh engaged online with a girl who claimed to be 12 years old; their conversations became increasingly sexual.
The girl was actually a member of the paedophile hunter group Innocent Voices.
Later that month, Pugh again chatted online with another individual he believed was a 12-year-old girl, who was also an adult hunter.
He discussed sex, talked about meeting up, and sent a photo of his private parts.
Following this, security group members confronted Pugh, leading to his arrest by police and his release pending further investigation.
Despite this, Pugh continued his offending, chatting with another 'child' aged 12 who was actually an undercover police officer and sending her a sex act video.
He even discussed meeting her after lockdown for sex.
During police inquiries, it was discovered that Pugh had downloaded and shared images of child abuse, which he admitted and asked the court to consider during sentencing.
Defence solicitor Susan Cavender stated, "He has given up all internet access.
He now has a Nokia with no internet.
He asks me to assure you of his genuine remorse.
He has mild to moderate learning difficulties.
He has made appalling mistakes." She emphasised that Pugh, who has limited travel experience from Bristol, never intended to meet the children and that his interactions were fantasies rather than actual plans.
