Flint Man Jailed for 12 Years Over Child Sex Offences

A 52-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting to more than 20 sexual offences involving children. 👨‍⚖️

Philip Bell, of Bryn Road, Flint, was convicted at Mold Crown Court after investigators identified him as having communicated with a large number of children online.

The court heard that Bell groomed, met and engaged in sexual activity with two of his victims, and attempted to meet many more children.

He was also found to be in possession of a substantial collection of child abuse images, some of which he distributed online.

Bell received a total sentence of 12 years – 3 years 4 months for distribution of indecent images, followed by 8 years 8 months for the contact and sexual offences. He was also made the subject of a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Several further concurrent sentences totalling four years were passed in relation to his attempts to meet children, and offences of incitement to engage in sexual activity with children.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Mark Griffiths said: “I welcome the sentence passed by the court today, and hope that this serves as a deterrent to others who seek to use the internet as a means to commit such offences.”