LUKE WINDER SENTENCED IN NORWICH FOR PREDATORY ONLINE SEX OFFENCES
A convicted sex offender who attempted to exploit vulnerable teenagers online has been sentenced to prison.Luke Winder, 27, engaged with four online profiles he believed were operated by young girls aged approximately 12 or 13 years old.
Norwich Crown Court was told that two of these profiles were actually run by undercover police officers.
Prosecutor John Morgans explained that between 2016 and 2020, Winder contacted these profiles and requested them to send pictures of themselves.
He received at least one such photograph.
Mr.
Morgans highlighted that some of Winder's offending occurred when he was 21 years old, while the girls he thought he was communicating with were only 12 or 13.
Winder, of Thorpe Road, Norwich, appeared in court for sentencing on Thursday, April 21, after previously admitting to charges of attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity.
He also pleaded guilty to three counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.
The judge, Katharine Moore, sentenced Winder to 36 months in prison, describing his behavior as "predatory" and "corrupting." She added it was evident he was "seeking out or attempting to seek out vulnerable young teens," and emphasized that it was his "sexual interest in young girls" that led to these offenses.
Rob Pollington, representing Winder, stated that these incidents were "attempts, or decoy offences," rather than actual acts.
He explained that Winder, who had admitted his guilt, suffers from significant health issues, including a brain haemorrhage, which he said has greatly affected him.
Mr.
Pollington noted that Winder struggles to communicate comfortably with peers and has sought companionship online.
He further explained that Winder believed he was more attractive to those he interacted with online, which he acknowledged was wrong, but also emphasized that his client has an "entrenched problem" that requires rehabilitation.
As part of his sentence, Winder is required to sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
There is also a possibility that he will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), though this matter has been adjourned until April 28.
