Cwmbran man arranged sex act with ’12-year-old boy’

A Cwmbran man has avoided prison despite arranging for a 12-year-old boy to visit his home to perform a sex act.

Michael Carpenter, 41, of Monmouth House, Cwmbran, received a suspended sentence after messaging someone he believed was a 12-year-old boy, but who was actually an undercover police officer.

The court heard that Carpenter persistently asked if any female classmates would join them, even after learning the supposed age of the child. 🚨

Prosecutor Ruth Smith told Newport Crown Court on February 27 that police initiated conversation with the defendant, initially claiming to be a 23-year-old man.

Ms Smith described how Carpenter, using the profile name SouthWales999, sent naked, sexual images of himself to the supposed victim.

When the “victim” revealed he was actually 12 years old, Carpenter responded “omg really?” and asked “can you get a girl from your class to join us?”

When told the only girls the boy knew were also 12, and he would have to ask them at school the following day, Carpenter replied “no I need it now.”

The court heard that Carpenter sent explicit messages including, “f**king suck me you little pr**k” and made arrangements for the boy to travel by bus to his Cwmbran home for the purpose of engaging in oral sex.

Carpenter eventually “got spooked it was a sting operation” after asking for a photo and sent a message saying: “Take care, sorry… I am not interested in you, you are way too young… it may be a set up for me to get caught.”

Defence lawyer Martha Smith Higgins presented a medical report from Dr Armstrong stating that while the defendant doesn’t have a diagnosed learning disability, he has “significant cognitive defects” and is “inherently vulnerable.”

Ms Higgins also noted Carpenter’s mother died one year before the offending and he was lonely.

Judge Carl Harrison sentenced Carpenter to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, citing these factors and the defendant’s “genuine remorse through an early guilty plea.”

Carpenter must complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 35 days of rehabilitation activity. He was fined £187 and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order. ⚖️