ALRESFORD MAN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER SENDING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MESSAGES TO FAKE 12-YEAR-OLD
A PAEDOPHILE has avoided jail for sending sexually explicit messages to an undercover police officer he thought was a 12-year-old girl.The defendant, Graham Roberts, a father-of-three, downloaded a messaging app in March last year because “he found himself with too much time on his hands,” a court heard.
The court described the app as a “tool of the trade for predatory paedophiles.” Roberts messaged an account on the app during March and April of the previous year.
Although initially mundane, the messages became suggestive, and Roberts discussed sexual activity with the decoy.
Police attended Roberts’ home in Ash Road, Alresford, in June last year, and he attended a voluntary interview, denying responsibility and being unable to account for photographs he had sent.
He later admitted the charge of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
The court heard Roberts continued messaging after being told the girl was only 12, writing messages such as “If your parents see this, I could be arrested” and “I could be classed as a paedophile.” The judge sentenced Roberts to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 25 rehabilitation days, 180 hours of unpaid work, pay costs of £687, and sign a 10-year sexual prevention order.
