CAMERON DAVIDSON SENTENCED IN CARDIFF FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND POSSESSION OF INDECENT IMAGES

A 20-year-old man named Cameron Davidson was involved in a paedophile hunter sting after sending explicit images to a decoy he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. He was also found with indecent images of children following his arrest on August 21 last year in Barry.

Members of Alpha Predator Hunters created a fake profile on the dating app Badoo, posing as a 12-year-old girl. The profile used a photo of a woman manipulated with a Snapchat filter to appear childlike. Davidson initiated contact with this profile and responded to the decoy’s question about her age with, "How old are you? I'm 12 and shouldn't be on here." He replied that he was 19.

At a sentencing hearing in Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, the court was shown a series of messages between Davidson and the decoy, which extended to WhatsApp. During these conversations, Davidson began sharing sexually explicit messages, asking the girl to engage in sexual activities. He sent photos of his penis on two occasions and requested a picture of her breasts.

The two had agreed to meet at Barry railway station on August 21. However, on the day, Davidson canceled, claiming he was too busy with work. After sending a picture of himself in his work uniform, the decoy was able to locate his workplace in Barry. Members of the paedophile hunting group then went to the location, spotted Davidson walking along the street, and approached him.

Prosecutor Clare Wilks explained, "Davidson was approached by two men who asked him his name and if he had arranged to meet a 12-year-old. He admitted he had but claimed he thought the girl was 18. He was detained until police arrived and arrested him."

When police searched Davidson’s belongings, they found a Samsung mobile phone containing two Category A indecent images, four Category B images, and seven Category C images, along with nine extreme pornographic images.

In police interview, Davidson admitted that the decoy told him she was 12 but claimed he believed she was "messing around". He also stated he had a high sex drive and requested treatment for it but denied having any sexual interest in children.

Davidson, from Ship Alley, Farnborough, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to attempting to communicate with a child, attempting to engage a child in sexual activity, and possessing indecent and extreme images.

His defence lawyer Ruth Smith stated, "My client is a young man who needs help and would benefit from intervention by the probation service."

Sentencing Judge Greg Bull QC remarked, "Sexual offences are always serious, and the crimes you have committed are likely to have a profound impact on your life. Engaging in sexual contact with a child is something the courts and society deeply condemn."

Davidson was sentenced to 21 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete a 55-day rehabilitation activity requirement, perform 200 hours of unpaid work, and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years.