MARK PAYNE FROM SALTNEY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER ONLINE SEXUAL COMMUNICATION WITH 'CHILD' IN CAERNARFON

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Mark Payne, a 42-year-old resident of High Street in Saltney, narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment after admitting to engaging in sexual conversations with an individual he believed to be a young girl. The incident took place in April of the previous year and was brought before Caernarfon Crown Court, where Payne appeared for sentencing.

Payne had previously confessed to five separate offences related to his online interactions. Three of these offences involved his communication with a person he thought was a 13-year-old girl, while the remaining two involved the possession of indecent images found on devices belonging to him. Prosecutor Maria Masselis outlined the details of the case, revealing that Payne had initiated contact with the supposed girl via a social media application. The profile he interacted with claimed the girl was 13 years old, which he believed to be true at the time.

However, the individual Payne was communicating with was actually an undercover police officer operating a decoy account. Within hours of initiating contact, Payne sent an unsolicited explicit image of his genitals, telling the recipient it was something for her to enjoy. He then requested nude photographs in return, which the girl refused to send. The conversation quickly escalated to sexual questions, prompting police to investigate further.

Following the investigation, officers traced Payne and visited his residence a few days later. During his arrest and subsequent search of his property, authorities seized a mobile phone, a laptop, and a USB storage device for forensic analysis. Payne admitted to having contacted the girl but claimed he believed she was an adult and that his actions were part of role-playing.

Further examination of his devices revealed disturbing content. On his phone, police recovered the explicit image he had sent. His laptop contained books with three indecent images of females aged between 12 and 15, along with an indecent image of a female under 18 performing a sexual act. When questioned during re-arrest, Payne admitted to downloading these materials but insisted he had no sexual interest in children.

During the sentencing hearing, Mr. Recorder Duncan Bould addressed Payne directly, stating, “In April, you engaged with the person — within a very short period, you decided it was appropriate to turn that conversation into a sexual one. I am satisfied that you believed you were dealing with a young girl, even though you were not.”

He acknowledged Payne’s lack of prior convictions and good employment record, noting that there was a reasonable chance for rehabilitation without immediate incarceration. Nevertheless, Payne was sentenced to a total of six months in prison, with the sentences for four of the offences running concurrently: four months, four months, six months, and two months. The fifth offence did not carry a separate penalty. The custodial sentence was suspended for two years, meaning Payne would not serve time unless he committed further offences during this period.

Additionally, Payne was ordered to complete a 60-day rehabilitation activity requirement and perform 100 hours of unpaid community service. He was also placed under a seven-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his activities and contact to prevent future offences of this nature.