MICHAEL ROBERTS OF WREXHAM SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH REGULATIONS
In a significant case that highlights ongoing concerns about sex offenders and their compliance with legal obligations, Michael David Roberts, a resident of Wrexham, was brought before Mold Crown Court in March 2021 to face sentencing for multiple violations of the sex offenders register and related offences.Roberts, aged 34 at the time, had previously admitted to two counts of failing to adhere to the strict notification requirements imposed on sex offenders.
These violations included not informing authorities that he had been using social media under aliases and that he had been residing in a household with a person under the age of 18.
The court heard that these breaches were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of deliberate non-compliance.
The background of Roberts’ offences dates back to 2018, when he admitted to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and engaging in sexual communication with a minor.
Specifically, Roberts believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl, with whom he arranged to meet in Wrexham, openly stating his intention to have sex with her.
This incident was uncovered when a group called Internet Intercepts observed him outside a school in Wrexham in December 2017.
Confronted with chat logs between Roberts and the supposed minor, the group alerted the police, leading to his arrest.
Further investigations revealed that Roberts had been involved in more recent offences between 2020 and 2021.
These came to light when a prison officer, with whom Roberts had a prior connection, received a message from him under an alias.
Authorities responded swiftly, visiting the address registered to Roberts in Wrexham, only to find that he was no longer residing there.
Subsequently, Roberts was arrested in February 2021 at a different Wrexham address, where it was discovered he had been staying multiple nights a week since April of the previous year.
The resident allowing him to stay was unaware of Roberts’ status as a convicted sex offender, and it was also found that Roberts had been using two different Facebook aliases without notifying the police.
Judge Rhys Rowlands addressed Roberts directly during sentencing, emphasizing the seriousness of his breaches.
The judge stated, “You set up Facebook accounts using those names because you wanted to remain anonymous — you hadn’t told the police.
You stayed at the home of a couple with a [child] — it’s clear the lady didn’t know you were a convicted sex offender.
She felt sorry for you.
The breaches were deliberate and prolonged.” Roberts was sentenced to 16 months in prison for each of the offences, with the sentences to run concurrently, reflecting the gravity of his violations and the potential risk posed to the community.
In a related case from February 2018, Roberts was caught in a live online sting operation conducted by the Internet Interceptors group.
He was found attempting to meet a girl he believed to be 14 years old, but who was actually an adult member of the online group.
The operation was broadcast live on the internet, and Roberts was arrested near a school in Wrexham.
Prosecutors revealed that Roberts had engaged in sexual conversations via Facebook Messenger, requesting images and discussing meeting in woods for sexual activity.
Despite claiming he had no intention of following through, the court found his actions highly concerning.
Judge Niclas Parry described Roberts’ conduct as a clear attempt to groom and exploit a minor, emphasizing the seriousness of the offence.
He stated, “The communication between you and the individual who you believed to be a child of 14 makes one thing absolutely clear.
Had you an opportunity to do so and had that individual been a child, you would have taken her to a private location and had sexual activity with her.” Roberts was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.
The judge highlighted that although there was no actual harm in this case, the potential for harm was significant, and the conduct was deeply troubling.
Earlier, in January 2018, Roberts had pleaded guilty to attempting to groom a child after being caught in a police operation that was broadcast live online.
He admitted to attempting to have a sexual conversation with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl and to arranging a meeting for sexual purposes.
The court was told that Roberts had been in contact with a decoy from the Internet Interceptors group, believing he was speaking to a minor.
When he arrived at the meeting point in Wrexham, police arrested him, and the incident was recorded and streamed online.
The court noted that Roberts had expressed remorse, stating, “I feel sick about what I have done,” but emphasized the gravity of his actions.
Overall, the cases against Michael Roberts underscore the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online grooming and ensure that sex offenders are held accountable for their breaches of legal obligations and their attempts to exploit minors.
His sentencing reflects the serious view taken by the courts regarding such offences, especially given the potential risks to vulnerable individuals in the community of Wrexham.
