GREG CAUSTON FROM NEWPORT SENT TO PRISON FOR SEXUAL MESSAGE PLOT INVOLVING TEENAGER IN BRISTOL
In a disturbing case that has shocked the Newport community, Greg Causton, a 28-year-old man from Keir Hardie Terrace in Newport, has been sentenced to two years in prison after engaging in a sinister online scheme involving a mother and her teenage daughter from Bristol.The incident unfolded over a two-day period in November of the previous year, during which Causton used Facebook to send explicit messages to a mother who was concerned about her teenage daughter.
The mother, whose identity along with her daughters cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, was alerted to Causton’s inappropriate communications after her other teenage daughter noticed the messages.
The messages were sent from a Facebook account that used the teenage girl’s picture, making it appear as if it was her.
The mother, alarmed by the explicit content, responded by sending a friend request to Causton, pretending to be her underage daughter, who was under 16 at the time.
This was a strategic move to gather more information and to confront Causton about his intentions.
Prosecutor David Thomas explained to the court that Causton accepted the friend request, and the exchanges quickly turned sexual in nature.
Causton’s messages became increasingly inappropriate, with him asking the supposed underage girl to show her breasts and inquiring about her age.
When the mother revealed her true identity to Causton, who had previously claimed to be 20 years old, he shockingly asked for permission to have sex with her daughter.
This revelation prompted the mother to report the matter to the police immediately.
The case was brought before Cardiff Crown Court, where Causton pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
Defense lawyer Marian Lewis described the case as unusual, noting that Causton was approached by an adult pretending to be a minor.
She also stated that her client had shown genuine remorse for his actions and claimed that his behavior was influenced by boredom and cannabis use.
Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Richard Twomlow sentenced Causton to two years’ imprisonment, emphasizing the severity of the offense.
The judge pointed out that Causton had falsely claimed to be 20 when he was actually 27, and that he did not cease his advances even after the mother disclosed her daughter’s age.
The judge further ordered Causton to serve half of his sentence in custody.
Had he not pleaded guilty early, his sentence could have been extended to three years.
Additionally, Causton was disqualified from working with children for life and was ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge, marking a stern warning to others about the dangers of online predatory behavior.
