WANTAGE MAN MATTHEW MEYER SENTENCED IN OXFORD FOR SECOND TIME OVER CHILD SEXUAL MESSAGE CASES

In June 2022, a man from Wantage named Matthew Meyer faced serious legal consequences once again after being caught sending explicit messages to a minor girl for the second time. The case highlights a troubling pattern of behavior that has spanned nearly a decade, raising concerns about the safety of children and the accountability of offenders in the Oxford area.

Matthew Meyer, aged 29, was previously imprisoned in 2013 for a similar offense involving a different minor. At that time, Meyer, who resided in Stockham Park, Wantage, engaged in a series of sexually explicit exchanges with what he believed was an 11-year-old girl. However, the messages were actually responded to by the girl’s mother, who had intercepted the communications. Meyer’s actions in 2013 led to a 12-month jail sentence after he was convicted of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and sending explicit photographs of himself.

Fast forward to June of the previous year, Meyer appeared before Oxford Crown Court once more, this time facing charges related to attempting to communicate sexually with a 13-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty to the charges, which included attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act. The court heard that Meyer had engaged in these illicit exchanges via Kik Messenger, a popular smartphone app, between June 2021 and the time of his arrest. The judge, Judge Maria Lamb, ordered the case to be adjourned for psychiatric and probation reports, emphasizing the severity of the offense and the likelihood of a custodial sentence.

During the hearing, Judge Lamb made it clear that Meyer should not expect leniency, stating, “I am quite clear that at the front of the court’s thinking is going to be an immediate prison sentence and you need to understand that.” She also warned Meyer that he should not hold out hope for anything other than a jail term and set a return date for August 12. Meyer was represented by Julian Lynch during the proceedings.

The history of Meyer’s offenses underscores a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior. In 2013, the court was told how Meyer, then 20, had exchanged messages with an 11-year-old girl over several months. The exchanges included explicit texts and photographs, which prompted the girl’s mother to intervene. She showed the messages to the police, who then took action against Meyer. The judge at that time, Patrick Eccles, sentenced Meyer to 12 months in prison, citing the importance of protecting victims and their families from further harm and emphasizing the moral culpability of the offender.

In the more recent case, the court was informed that Meyer’s actions had once again left the victim’s family distressed and sickened. The prosecution highlighted that Meyer’s behavior was a serious breach of trust and safety, warranting a significant custodial sentence. Meyer was ultimately sentenced to 12 months in prison and was ordered to pay a £100 victims’ surcharge, reflecting the court’s stance on the gravity of his offenses and the need for deterrence in cases involving child exploitation and abuse.