Cardiff man sent explicit content to mum for daughter

A Cardiff painter and decorator who sent explicit images and videos to a woman and told her to show them to her teenage daughter has been sentenced.

Sheldon Seaman, 43, of Johnston Road, Llanishen, told the woman the material would help the child learn about pregnancies and condoms. However, the concerned mother used an old phone to pretend to be her daughter. Thinking he was talking directly to the child, Seaman began discussing sending videos of himself masturbating.

The mother confided in a friend and authorities were notified. Police spoke to Seaman in April 2021, and his responses in interview amounted “in essence to a denial”. The case saw significant delays, with the file being referred to the Crown Prosecution Service seven times before charges were brought.

In a victim impact statement, the woman called Seaman an “abuser and monster” and said she had been left wondering why he had targeted her.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Seaman’s defence solicitor, Abigail Jackson, say the offending took place four-and-a-half years ago and that substance misuse had been at the root of the offending. She said the defendant had taken “significant steps” to rehabilitate himself and had been “clean and sober” for two years. He now provides care for his elderly mother.

Judge Celia Hughes said Seaman had known what he was doing was wrong but had been “disinhibited by cocaine and alcohol”. She said he had “no boundaries” as far as sexual matters were concerned. The judge noted an apology from the police and CPS for the delay in charging.

Seaman pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communications with a child and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act. He has six previous convictions for seven offences, including possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply from 2012, but none for sexual matters.

With one-quarter discount for his guilty pleas, Seaman was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months. He must complete an accredited course, a rehabilitation course, and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 towards prosecution costs.

Seaman will be a registered sex offender for 10 years and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.