SOUTHAMPTON MAN SENTENCED FOR SENDING TOPLESS PHOTO TO 'TEEN GIRL' ON SNAPCHAT
A Southampton man identified as Michael Croft, aged 31, was involved in messaging a person he believed to be a teenage girl on Snapchat.
During the communications, he inquired if she liked older men and sent her a topless photo of himself, claiming he was naked under his duvet.
The messages were exchanged between March 18 and 29 of last year and were received by an undercover officer.
Croft also told the profile that he had a second Snapchat account which he described as a 'merit and promotion' account for those who 'deserve it.' He asked the 'girl' what part of him she wanted to see and offered to expose himself.
Subsequently, he sent a topless photo showing his arms and chest, suggesting he was naked beneath his duvet.
When sent an image of a fully clothed girl by the undercover officer, Croft replied, 'A lot more flesh would be exposed if I was there.' The court heard that Croft was engaging with several adult women at the time, which led him to start chatting with the police decoy.
He admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
Croft pleaded guilty in Southampton Crown Court and was sentenced to a six-month prison term suspended for two years, with requirements including 150 hours of unpaid work, 26 rehabilitation sessions, and a £160 court cost.
Additionally, he is subject to a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The judge commented on his behavior, questioning if it was part of many similar conversations, and noted his lack of recollection of the incident, despite him accepting responsibility and showing remorse.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
itted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Croft pleaded guilty in Southampton Crown Court and was sentenced to a six-month prison term suspended for two years, with requirements including 150 hours of unpaid wor...
Prison sentence
two years
Croft pleaded guilty in Southampton Crown Court and was sentenced to a six-month prison term suspended for two years, with requirements including 150 hours of unpaid work, 26 rehabilitation sessions, and a 160 court cost
Suspended sentence
two years
Croft pleaded guilty in Southampton Crown Court and was sentenced to a six-month prison term suspended for two years, with requirements including 150 hours of unpaid work, 26 rehabilitation sessions, and a 160 court cost
Community order
two years
Croft pleaded guilty in Southampton Crown Court and was sentenced to a six-month prison term suspended for two years, with requirements including 150 hours of unpaid work, 26 rehabilitation sessions, and a 160 court cost
Court order
Additionally, he is subject to a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order
