SIMON MATTHEW VIRGO SENTENCED IN SOUTHAMPTON ON SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST A TEENAGER
Simon Matthew Virgo, aged 37, sent sexual messages to a teenage girl named Mollie through the online messaging platform Kik.Prosecutor Emily Lanham stated, "The messages back and forth contained references to implied sexual acts and whether or not she liked old men." Outside Southampton Crown Court, Virgo covered his face in sight of the cameras.
Despite this, he actually spoke to police officers following a raid at his home, during which officers seized two mobile phones and two iPads.
Authorities discovered obscene images of children suspected of being abused, ranging in age from six to eleven.
Virgo, of Walker Gardens, Hedge End, appeared before the court charged with two counts of possessing indecent photographs of a child and one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child as an adult.
He previously pleaded guilty to these offenses, which occurred between June and December 2019.
During the trial, defence lawyer Jamie Gammon described his client as of good character with no previous convictions.
He argued that the judge should suspend any custodial sentence and emphasised that if Virgo were jailed, he would face a future without support.
Mr.
Gammon stated, "My submission is that he can be helped and that he wants help." The judge, Christopher Parker QC, expressed concern that if Mollie were truly a child, "the situation could be very different," also noting the positive references received about Virgo.
Ultimately, Judge Parker sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for 12 years.
Virgo is also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, 40 days of rehabilitation, and to pay £340 in costs.
Additionally, he is required to register as a sexual offender for seven years, during which time an order against sexual harm will also be in effect.
