ROGER GOZNEY, SOLIHULL MAN, SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SWANSEA

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Roger Gozney, a 42-year-old man from Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, Birmingham, was convicted of multiple serious charges related to the exploitation and abuse of children. The incidents, which spanned over a year, involved disturbing online activities and direct contact with minors in Swansea.

It was revealed during proceedings at Warwick Crown Court that Gozney had initiated contact with a 15-year-old girl from Swansea through an internet chat room in early 2009. During their online interactions, Gozney, who possessed a webcam, engaged in explicit sexual acts in front of it, which the girl observed on her computer screen. Despite knowing her age, he twice sent her messages via text, urging her to travel from Swansea to Birmingham for sexual encounters.

Further details emerged about Gozney’s disturbing online behavior. While on bail, he breached court-imposed restrictions that prohibited him from using the internet or having unsupervised contact with children. He did so by reaching out to a 14-year-old girl through Facebook, asking if they could 'do something sexy.'

The court heard that Gozney’s criminal activities extended beyond online chats. In January of the same year, the now 16-year-old girl, who had acquired her own webcam, visited a friend’s home in Swansea along with her laptop. During this visit, she, along with two other young girls aged eight and nine, entered a bedroom where contact was made with Gozney. The man was seen lying naked on his bed, and he asked the girls to expose their private parts. Two of the girls complied, and Gozney used his mobile phone to take photographs of them from his computer screen. As he watched, he performed sexual acts on himself, including one that was described by the prosecutor as 'clearly upsetting' the two younger girls.

Gozney was arrested following these incidents and admitted to the acts involving the four girls. However, he claimed he believed they were all 16 years old at the time. Despite this, the court found his actions to be highly concerning and indicative of a significant risk to children.

He pleaded guilty to five charges of inciting children to engage in sexual activity and six charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child. The judge, Marten Coates, sentenced Gozney to an indeterminate prison term for the protection of the public, with a minimum of three years to be served before he could apply for parole. Additionally, Gozney was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order that banned him from ever possessing a computer or phone with internet access.

Prosecutor Kathryn Roughton emphasized the gravity of the case, stating that Gozney’s actions demonstrated a clear danger to children. The judge concurred, expressing concern over the significant risk of further harm posed by Gozney and underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring and treatment during his incarceration. Gozney’s release will only occur when the Parole Board determines he no longer poses a threat to children, ensuring public safety remains a priority.