CAMBRIDGE MAN SENTENCED FOR ONLINE CHILD SEXUAL COMMUNICATION

A man named Bobby Mather from West Street, Isleham, was arrested after an undercover police officer caught him attempting to communicate online with what he believed was a teenage boy. In June of the previous year, Mather initiated contact through a dating platform, believing the user was a 14-year-old boy. He also reached the officer via Snapchat, where he discussed engaging in sexual acts with boys aged between 15 and 17, and sent indecent images of himself. A warrant was executed at his home, resulting in his arrest. During police interviews, Mather acknowledged the inappropriate nature of his communications with the minor, despite knowing the minor’s age, and apologized for his conduct. He later pleaded guilty in court to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. On December 6, he was sentenced at Huntingdon Law Court to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and was ordered to undertake a 40-day therapeutic program plus a 25-day rehabilitative activity. The court also placed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order on him and required him to register as a sex offender for the same period, in order to monitor any eventual risk of reoffending.