Matthew Pemberton (Image: Dank Dragon)
Last Updated: 3 minutes ago
A 41-year-old Vale of Glamorgan man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after he admitted trying to engage in sexual communication with a person he thought was a girl under 16.
The offence
Matthew Pemberton, of St Teilo Close, Dinas Powys, used the messaging platform RandoChat in an attempt to sexually communicate with what he believed was a child.
Unbeknown to Pemberton, the profile had been set up as a decoy by online investigative group Dank Dragon as part of a sting operation.
Sentencing
Pemberton appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.
The court heard he had no previous convictions and was assessed as having a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation”.
He was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for 15 months, and ordered to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity.
Pemberton was also required to pay a total of £239 in financial penalties, comprising £85 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
A sexual harm prevention order was imposed which will remain in force until 2031. He must also sign the sex offender register for a period of seven years.
