Blackwood Man Sentenced After Paedophile Hunter Sting

A 35-year-old man from near Blackwood has been sentenced after being caught by paedophile hunters asking what he believed was a 14-year-old schoolgirl to send him “sexy pictures” 📱⚖️

Alex Roberts was duped by a decoy calling herself “Maisie” during conversations on Facebook and WhatsApp, Newport Crown Court heard. The defendant was being set up by a group called Children’s Voices.

Prosecutor Julia Cox told the court: “The defendant asked Maisie if she wanted to be his girlfriend and requested sexy pictures. There were questions about her underwear and he told her that the only person who could touch her was him. He asked her if she had ever been horny and she asked him what that meant and he tried to explain.”

The court heard there were also conversations about the girl touching herself sexually.

Roberts, who has learning difficulties, was arrested after being confronted by Children’s Voices members. He told police: “He had been drinking and it was just general chitchat. The defendant said it was a conversation that just got out of hand and that there was no intention of meeting up.”

His offending took place in 2022. Roberts, of Colliers Lane, Argoed, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He has no previous convictions.

Defence barrister Jeffrey Jones said: “He regrets what he’s done.” The court was told Roberts has ADHD and is neurodiverse.

Judge Eugen Egan sentenced Roberts to an 18-month community order rather than a suspended prison sentence. He must complete a 26-day rehabilitation activity requirement and was fined £100 with seven days in jail to be imposed in default of payment.

Roberts will have to register as a sex offender for the next five years and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order until 2030. He must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.