JOHN REYNOLDS OF FLINTSHIRE SENTENCED TO FIVE AND A HALF YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

A 40-year-old man named John Reynolds, formerly residing in Flintshire, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison after being caught in an undercover police sting. Judge Rhys Rowlands told Reynolds, "This was repeated depraved behaviour on your part which has to attract an immediate custodial sentence." Reynolds was convicted following a trial of making, possessing, and distributing child sexual images. During the sentencing at Mold Crown Court, Reynolds appeared via video link from Berwyn jail in Wrexham. Judge Rowlands also ordered him to register as a sex offender indefinitely, and a sexual harm prevention order was issued.

The judge remarked that the jury had dismissed Reynolds' implausible explanation for his actions. Defence lawyer Simon Mills highlighted that Reynolds was of a previously good character and noted there was no evidence suggesting his distribution of images had reached the wider paedophile community. The counsel added, "Links to the images went to undercover police operatives."

Prosecutor Andrew Green explained that in the summer of 2019, police had contacted Reynolds online, posing as paedophiles. When officers visited his home, Reynolds was away working in Europe. Reynolds was requested to bring an iPhone to the police station upon his return to Britain but claimed the device had been lost. The case underscores Reynolds's background as a hardworking, well-qualified individual with expertise in his industry.