May 2010 Jail for ex-postman who played web sex games with teens A former Cranfield postman who used the internet to engage in sex games with two 13-year-old schoolgirls has been jailed for two and a half years. Ricky Wykes, 51, was told by Judge Richard Foster: “This is a classic case of the misuse of the internet and web cams.”  The Judge continued: “Such cases are a nightmare to every parent who allow their children to use the internet. “The message must go out that custody will follow for those who abuse the internet for their own sexual gratification with young victims.”  Wykes was found guilty at Luton Crown Court last month of two charges of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and two of causing or inciting a youngster to engage in sexual activity. He was also convicted of eight offences downloading indecent images of children onto his computer and possessing indecent material. Wykes was acquitted of two offences of making indecent photos of children. During the trial Bozzie Sheffi prosecuting said the offences occurred during 2007 and 2008 when both girls were 13 years old. One lived in Yorkshire and the other in Wales. They never met each other or the defendant, but spoke to him via MSN. The jury heard how on June 5, 2008 officers from Bedfordshire Police went to his then home in High Street, Cranfield. He was arrested and computers in the house were seized. Miss Sheffi said the arrest came about following an investigation police had conducted after the young girl in Yorkshire alleged she had been talking to someone in an MSN chat room who had gone on to ask her to do sexual acts and had filmed himself. The prosecutor said it was through the examination of the computers that police then discovered he had been in contact with a second young girl. She was eventually traced, the court heard and she was to tell police officers that she was asked to perform similar sexual acts. Miss Sheffi said the second girl said she thought the person “Ricky” who she was in contact with was 17 years old. The jury were told by Miss Sheffi that police also found indecent material of children on the defendant’s computer which he had downloaded. Wykes, who had been a postman for eight years denied all the offences, but following his conviction he has fully admitted his responsibility, said his barrister. Karen Walton, defending said: “He was depressed, disillusioned and lonely and pretended he was younger than he was on the internet. “This case shows how the internet can with ease allow someone to be seduced into a fantasy world. “He has been candid with a probation officer, and has shown some acceptance of his responsibility and remorse. “He is embarrassed and ashamed. He has now lost his freedom and his respect. “He is now separated from his family and will not return to the family home on his release.”  Wykes was also made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, controlling his use of the internet and his contact with young girls for the indefinite future and he must sign the Sex Offender’s Register for life.