Ebbw Vale man caught asking ‘underage girl’ for images

A 22-year-old man from Ebbw Vale has admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child after being caught in an online sting operation.

Joel Evans, of Harcourt Street, pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to the offence, which took place over four days between December 3 and December 6, 2024.

The court heard that Evans believed he was communicating with a girl under the age of 16 and had requested indecent images during their exchanges. However, he was actually talking to a decoy account.

Following his guilty plea, Evans has been ordered to register as a sex offender. He was granted conditional bail ahead of his sentencing hearing.

Evans is scheduled to be sentenced on January 29 at Cardiff Crown Court.