SHANKLIN PAEDOPHILE ADMITS TO SEX CHAT WITH UNDERAGE GIRL, AWAITS SENTENCING

An Isle of Wight paedophile will be sentenced next month after admitting to inappropriately communicating with an underage girl and asking her to engage in sexual activity.David Peter Dean, 53, of Hungerberry Close, Shanklin, attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, July 23.UPDATE: He has now been sentencedThe 53-year-old pleaded guilty to attempting to cause or incite a female child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity and two charges of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.Liz Miller, prosecuting, said that between April 25 and June 9, 2023, Dean intentionally attempted to get a girl under the age of 13 to touch her own vagina.The other charges related to him speaking to a child about penetrative sex and masturbation.Ms Miller told the court Dean committed these offences to 'obtain sexual gratification'.Magistrates heard that the case was not suitable to be sentenced in the court due to the severity of the offence, and Ms Miller asked for the case to be sent to the crown court.Michael McGoldrick, defending, agreed with the prosecution and asked for magistrates to consider ordering a pre-sentence report.Magistrates sent the case to the Isle of Wight Crown Court, and Dean will appear before a judge for sentencing on August 30.Dean was granted unconditional bail.