RICHARD ROBERTS FROM BANGOR FACES JAIL FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND EXTREME PORNOGRAPHY

In January 2020, Richard Roberts, a 49-year-old man from Bangor, found himself at the center of a serious criminal case involving allegations of child sexual offences and possession of extreme pornography. The case was heard at Caernarfon Crown Court, where disturbing details emerged about Roberts' actions and the subsequent legal proceedings.

According to court reports, Roberts had engaged in online conversations with a woman who had set up a fake Facebook profile pretending to be a twelve-year-old girl. During these exchanges, Roberts claimed to be a protector of children, describing himself as having “angel eyes” and asserting that local parents viewed him as a “superhero” who had prevented a woman from being raped. These claims were part of his attempt to portray himself in a positive light, despite the serious nature of his intentions.

The court was told that Roberts had expressed a desire to meet the fictitious girl in Liverpool, discussing plans to stay together in a tent and even suggesting that he could live with her and her mother. He also made disturbing requests for photographs of the girl in the shower, indicating a clear predatory intent. Prosecutor Ffion Tomos detailed that Roberts had told the woman he wanted to be the first person she kissed and had discussed sexual activities, including explicit language such as “horny.”

Roberts’ actions came to light after vigilantes confronted him at his residence in Lon Ogwen, Bangor, in January 2019. When questioned by police, Roberts claimed he was aware he was communicating with a paedophile hunter online and insisted that his conversations were merely a “wind up.” However, police examined three mobile phones linked to him, and one contained a screen-save image of the online “decoy,” confirming his involvement in inappropriate online activity.

As a result of his actions, Roberts was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration. Judge Huw Rees condemned Roberts’ behavior, emphasizing that his “gravely unhealthy sexual attention” was directed toward a child of just twelve years old. The judge also highlighted that Roberts’ possession of extreme pornographic images demonstrated “distorted sexual thoughts,” further illustrating the severity of his misconduct.

Earlier, in December 2019, Roberts had been warned that he faced potential imprisonment after admitting to charges related to attempting to facilitate a child sex offence. During a court hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to attempting to arrange or facilitate an act involving a child under 13 in Chester in January of that year. He also admitted to inciting a child to engage in sexual behavior and possessing 165 images of an extreme pornographic nature at the time of his arrest on January 26.

Judge Huw Rees, who was presiding over the case, decided to adjourn sentencing to allow for the preparation of reports, making it clear that all options, including custody, remained on the table. Roberts was granted bail until a sentencing hearing scheduled for the new year and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register before leaving court, underscoring the gravity of his crimes and the potential consequences he faces.