PHILIP STREET - BEDFORD OFFENDER AVOIDS JAIL AFTER CHILD SEXUAL MESSAGE CASE IN LIVERPOOL
A man convicted of attempting to communicate sexually with a minor has avoided prison time, despite admitting to the offences.Philip Street, 41, who resides on Bedford Avenue in Rock Ferry, sent sexually explicit messages to an individual he believed was a 13-year-old girl.
In the exchanged messages, he asked whether she would make him wear a condom during sex.
It was later revealed that he was actually communicating with an undercover police officer.
A judge cited Street’s "very significant disability" as a factor that substantially reduced his level of responsibility for the crime.
Street pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child, an offence which can carry a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
Liverpool Crown Court was told that Street had created a profile on Chat Avenue, a social media site primarily used by teenagers aged 13 to 18.
On February 12, 2021, he entered a chat room called "teen chat" and started messaging a profile named "Kaylee13." Prosecutor Derek Jones explained, "The defendant informed her he was 40 years old and asked if she had a girlfriend.
She then revealed she was 13." According to Mr.
Jones, Kaylee suggested switching to Skype to share pictures, and although Street initially claimed he hadn’t asked for any, they proceeded to the video chat platform.
During their Skype interaction, Street made joking comments about sharing explicit images and subsequently asked the girl whether she would make him wear a condom if they had sex.
He also sent a clothed photo of himself and expressed a desire to take her to bed, promising he would be gentle.
Further sexually explicit questions were exchanged, including requests for a photo of her face.
The police investigation revealed the pair discussed a mutual female friend, with Street mentioning involvement with both girls.
Despite the length of the conversations—around an hour and a half—Street did not arrange to meet in person.
Police traced his email address and arrested him at his home on April 13.
A search of his property did not uncover any illegal material.
During police interviews, Street accepted that the messages came from him but claimed to have difficulty recalling some of the exchanges.
He also stated he was intoxicated at the time and denied having a sexual interest in children.
Represented by defender Bernice Campbell, Street, who has no prior convictions, was accompanied in court by his uncle, his carer.
Judge Stuart Driver, QC, acknowledged the case's exceptional nature, stating, "This is an exceptional case Ms.
Campbell.
The recommendation in the pre-sentence report is realistic and that's the course I will follow." The judge ordered Street to sign the Sex Offenders Register and adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years.
Although he did not disclose details of the order, the restrictions include limitations on internet use and a prohibition on contacting, having unsupervised contact with, or living with anyone under 16 unless exceptions apply.
The judge emphasized the importance of following these rules, warning that breach could lead to imprisonment.
In mitigation, the judge noted that no child was involved, as the messages were sent during a single day and involved an adult impersonating a minor.
Significantly, he highlighted Street’s disabilities—cerebral palsy and spastic paraplegia—as factors that substantially diminished his culpability.
Street, who is in his 40s and had no previous offences, pleaded guilty.
Ultimately, the judge sentenced Street to a two-year community order, including a 15-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and participation in a sex offender treatment program.
