MATTHEW PETER WOOD SENTENCED IN SOUTHAMPTON FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

MATTHEW PETER WOOD SENTENCED IN SOUTHAMPTON FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

Matthew Peter Wood, 19, of Old Redbridge Road in Southampton, engaged in disturbing online behaviour involving a young girl named Sophie.

He sent her intimate images and videos in which he was touching himself.

Using Facebook Messenger, Wood asked Sophie to send him naked photos.

It was later revealed that he was communicating through a decoy account created under the fictitious name of a fictional person, designed to trap paedophiles.

Prosecution barrister Jonathan Underhill explained that Wood was eventually confronted by a group of paedophile hunters who had traveled to Southampton.

At first, Wood denied the allegations, claiming his phone had been hacked.

However, when shown screenshots of his interactions with Sophie, he admitted to his actions.

Wood appeared before Southampton Crown Court facing charges of intentionally trying to communicate with someone under the age of 16, whom he did not reasonably believe to be 16 or over, with the intent to encourage sexual communication.

He was also charged with attempting to cause a child to view an image of himself engaging in sexual activity.

He pleaded guilty to these offences, which took place between April and July of the previous year, during an earlier hearing.

Defence lawyer Mark Florida-James spoke about Wood’s background, stating, “His client has had depression since he was 12 years old, following the death of his then-girlfriend.

Mr Florida-James added, “Put quite bluntly, Mr Wood is still a young man.

He is terrified of what might happen to him.” In sentencing, Judge Peter Henry expressed concerns about the conduct of some paedophile hunters, warning that “there is a narrow line between those who are genuinely trying to protect children for virtuous reasons and those seeking recognition on Facebook.” Wood was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.

He is also required to complete 60 rehabilitation activity days and perform 120 hours of unpaid work.

Additionally, he has been placed under a sexual harm prevention order for seven years and must register as a sex offender for the same period.

The judge concluded by warning Wood, stating, “Had this been a real child, you would be going down those steps behind you.”