BRADLEY DAVID WEBB FROM CWMBRAN, GWENT SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ONLINE OFFENSES AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In July 2002, a disturbing case unfolded in Cardiff Crown Court involving Bradley David Webb, a 42-year-old man from Cwmbran, Gwent, who was convicted of engaging in predatory online behavior targeting a young girl. Webb, who was unemployed at the time, orchestrated a malicious scheme by creating a false online identity, posing as a young girl named "Natasha" from Canada, with the intent to manipulate and exploit a minor.

Webb’s actions began when he discovered the girl’s email address and initiated contact, establishing a seemingly innocent conversation that gradually took a darker turn. The court was informed that Webb exploited the anonymity of the internet to groom the young girl, engaging her in discussions about sexual acts. The prosecution described the communications as a “sinister” series of exchanges, which ultimately crossed boundaries into illegal and abusive territory.

The court heard that Webb’s deception was convincing enough that the girl’s mother noticed her daughter was upset after using the computer, prompting her to report the matter to the police. Prosecutor David Webster emphasized that Webb had deliberately pretended to be Natasha, a Canadian girl, to lure the child into these conversations. The case revealed that Webb had accepted responsibility for much of his misconduct, though the damage inflicted on the young victim was significant.

Further investigation uncovered a disturbing cache of illegal material on Webb’s computer. Police found approximately 1,650 indecent photographs of children stored on his device, highlighting the extent of his involvement in child exploitation. The evidence painted a grim picture of Webb’s activities, linking his online grooming to the possession and creation of child pornography.

During sentencing, Judge Roderick Denyer QC condemned Webb’s actions, stating, “The evil in respect of indecent photographs of children and the making of indecent photos of children lies in the degradation, exploitation, and abuse of children involved in the original incident. I accept that you are at the end of the chain, but that chain must start with exploitation and abuse.” The judge underscored the seriousness of Webb’s crimes, emphasizing the harm caused to vulnerable children.

Webb’s defense attorney, Stephen Jeary, acknowledged his client’s responsibility, stating, “Unlike many people in this position, he does accept responsibility for a great deal of what he has done.”

As a result of his convictions, Webb was sentenced to a total of four and a half years in prison, with 18 months for three counts of indecency with children committed between 1997 and 2001, to run consecutively. Additionally, he received 12 months for four counts of possessing indecent images of children, and 18 months for 17 counts of creating indecent images. The court also ordered Webb to be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and disqualified him from working with children, reflecting the gravity of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses to society.