BRANDINO CICCIONE FROM NEWPORT JAILED FOR GROOMING IN ONLINE STING
In April 2021, a youth worker from Newport named Brandino Ciccione was sentenced to prison after being caught in a covert operation conducted by paedophile hunters.The incident unfolded when Ciccione, aged 51 and residing on Graham Street in Newport, believed he was communicating with a 10-year-old girl named Rosie, whom he intended to groom for sexual purposes.
However, the entire interaction was part of an elaborate online sting set up by the Angels of Innocence group, which specializes in exposing individuals attempting to engage in illegal activities involving minors.
Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe explained that Ciccione had initiated contact with what he thought was a young girl, but in reality, he was speaking to decoys created by the vigilant team.
During their communication, Ciccione sent a graphic image of himself to the decoy and explicitly asked her to perform a sex act on herself.
This disturbing exchange was captured and used as evidence against him.
The police acted swiftly, arresting Ciccione in February 2020 after they received the evidence collected by the Angels of Innocence.
At trial, Ciccione denied the allegations, but the jury found him guilty of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting sexual communication with a minor.
The court proceedings took place at Cardiff Crown Court, where the judge, Recorder Dyfed Llion Thomas, addressed Ciccione directly.
He stated, “There was grooming behaviour.
Your intention was clear.
You wanted sexual contact with a child.
You tried to get her to carry out a sex act on herself.” Recorder Thomas also expressed concern over Ciccione’s background, noting, “It was of some concern when it was discovered that you had been working with young people and children for some time.” Despite this, the court was informed that there was no evidence linking Ciccione to any further offences in his capacity as a youth worker.
As a result of his convictions, Ciccione was sentenced to five years in prison.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Upon release, he will also be required to pay a victim surcharge, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further harm.
