RHYS GEORGE FROM CRYMYCH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH DECOY IN PLEASANTON

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online predators, Rhys George, a 22-year-old farm worker from Crymych, Pembrokeshire, was found guilty of engaging in highly inappropriate and sexualized communications with an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. The incident came to light after George initiated contact through Facebook, believing he was speaking with a young girl named 'Kayleigh.'

However, the person on the other end of the conversation was not a child but an adult operating a decoy social media account designed to catch individuals attempting to exploit minors. This account was part of an undercover operation aimed at identifying and apprehending potential offenders. The exchange took place starting on September 28, 2019, and continued until October 15, when members of a paedophile hunter group confronted George.

During the court proceedings at Swansea Crown Court, it was revealed that George had previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to attempting to engage a child under 13 in sexual activities. These charges included attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual acts, attempting to cause a child under 13 to watch a sexual act, and attempting to communicate sexually with a child under 13. His guilty pleas led to a sentence of 28 months in prison, with the judge, Recorder Ifan Wyn Lloyd Jones, applying a one-third discount for his cooperation and guilty pleas.

Judge Jones expressed strong disapproval of George’s actions, stating that he should be 'thoroughly ashamed' of himself and the shame he had brought upon his family. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the offending, asserting that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate given the nature of the crimes.

Prosecutor Craig Jones detailed the conversation, noting that despite 'Kayleigh' clearly stating her age, George continued to engage in a sexualized dialogue. He made explicit suggestions of sexual acts he wished to perform and described in detail what he wanted her to do to him. The conversation also included discussions about meeting in person, and George sent videos of himself engaged in sexual acts to the decoy account.

The online exchanges concluded when George was confronted by members of a paedophile hunter group, who had been monitoring his activity. George, who had no previous criminal record, was subsequently sentenced to serve up to half of his 28-month term in custody. Following his release, he will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the next ten years and will be registered as a sex offender for the same period. Additionally, he will serve the remainder of his sentence in the community under the UK government’s early release scheme, which allows for early release under strict conditions.