A "family man" sent an explicit image of himself to a police officer posing online as a 12-year-old boy. Robert Jones from Cardiff had asked the 'boy' for sexual images and described him as "hot".
The 43-year-old security officer was caught in the sting after exchanging messages between August 21 and September 8 last year with a decoy on Kik and Snapchat. Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett told Cardiff Crown Court: "The defendant had received an image of the supposed boy lying on a bed wearing a Superman outfit. He engaged what he thought to be a child in a text conversation.
"The 'child' said he thought the defendant sounded really nice. The defendant indicated he was 42 and lived in Cardiff. The supposed child indicated he was 12, lived at home with his mother, and thought he was gay. The defendant then began to engage in sexualised conversation with the phrase: 'So you're into men then?'
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"He then described the 'child' as sexy and hot. He began to make indecent suggestions. He told the 'child' he wanted to run his hands up and down his body, kiss his stomach and chest... He invited the 'boy' to masturbate himself."
Jones sent a series of images and videos showing himself lying on a bed and only wearing underpants "with what was clearly an erection", said Mr Bennett. The defendant had also asked the 'boy' to send sexualised images of himself.
Police then attended Jones' home in Ashcroft Crescent, Fairwater, and seized his iPhone, finding no evidence of other indecent contact. He told officers he considered his own behaviour "disgusting" but claimed he had no sexual motive. Jones said he had felt sorry for his correspondent because the 'boy' was closeted.
Jones, now of Penderyn Close in Merthyr Tydfil, pleaded guilty to attempting sexual communication with an under-16. He had no previous convictions.
Stephen Thomas, mitigating, accepted that although the victim was not real his client had "known what he was doing" and made "persistent" contact. But the barrister said it was "very much an isolated incident", adding: "Throughout his life he has suffered with anxiety and depression. His mental health deteriorated over a period of years and he didn't seek assistance. The depression built up, not least with his marriage ending some eight years ago.
"There were issues which meant it took three years for him to resolve contact with his children. He is thoroughly ashamed of himself and the impact of this on his family. He is embarrassed to be appearing in court.
"He is a very hardworking and industrious man, and a family man, employed as a security officer in property protection. If he were sent to custody his job would be lost and he is the main breadwinner for his family who would be significantly affected."
The judge, Recorder IWL Jones, appeared surprised when Mr Thomas asked that he allow police to return the iPhone to the defendant, who has a year left on his £100-a-month phone contract. Denying the request the judge said: "This doesn't normally happen... We can't get away from the fact the phone was used for the purposes of the crime."
Passing sentence Recorder Jones said: "It is quite clear, according to the evidence, that you had an erection under your clothing. You were sexually aroused. You should be, and I am sure are, ashamed of what you did. If the person was indeed a 12-year-old boy there is no question he would have been harmed.
"This case is all the more tragic because you have no previous convictions. I accept you are remorseful and full of shame.
"I have thought long and hard about this. If you were to go straight into prison today it wouldn't simply punish you. It would be a huge punishment for your family – and it is not their fault, it is your fault – resulting in the loss of their accommodation."
The judge imposed a nine-month prison term suspended for 18 months, 30 days of rehabilitation activity, and 150 hours of unpaid work. Jones must also pay prosecution costs of £1,200 and a victim services surcharge of £156. He will be under a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.
As he concluded his sentence Recorder Jones told the defendant: "You must remember this is really a last chance." You can read more court stories here.
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