LIVERPOOL MAN CAUGHT IN ONLINE GROOMING STING AVOIDS PRISON
Ashley Hirst, residing in Caspian Place, Bootle, attempted to send explicit images to someone he believed was a teenage girl he met through social media.Unbeknownst to him, he was targeted in a sting operation conducted by paedophile hunters.
The Liverpool Crown Court was informed that volunteers from the Child Online Safety Team created a fake Facebook profile, pretending to be a 13-year-old girl.
On August 10 of the previous year, Hirst sent a friend request and started a chat, asking about her age and relationship status.
The discussion then moved to WhatsApp, where he sent three images of his genitalia along with a video performing a sexual act.
He also inquired about her underwear color.
When caught, he called Merseyside Police to his home early on August 16.
During questioning, Hirst repeatedly claimed he no longer had his mobile phone, asserting he had discarded it in nearby bushes.
He was sentenced to a 10-month prison term, suspended for 18 months, and was also ordered to complete up to 30 days of rehabilitation activities and a six-month alcohol treatment program.
The court heard that Hirst had no prior convictions and pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a minor.
The judge remarked that although there was no actual victim, the offense was aggravated by his attempt to destroy evidence and his refusal to provide access to his phone.
Additionally, Hirst was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offenders' register for the same duration.
