Man sent sexual images to girl, 16, on Snapchat

A Bridgend man who sent explicit sexual content to a 16-year-old girl over Snapchat, leaving her so traumatised she turned to cannabis and self-harm to cope, has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Thomas Treharne struck up what initially seemed like an innocent friendship with the teenager after meeting her and adding each other on social media. The 34-year-old sent her a friend request on Facebook which she accepted, and they began messaging on Snapchat.

However, Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday that whilst the conversations started innocently, Treharne’s messages quickly became inappropriate and disturbing. He asked the victim to “bend over” in front of him and to “get her breasts out” before escalating his behaviour further.

Treharne then sent a photograph of himself performing a sex act over his clothing, followed by a video exposing his penis to the teenage girl.

Impact on the victim

In her victim personal statement read to the court, the girl described the devastating effect the incident had on her mental health and daily life.

“I suffer with stress and anxiety… He left me feeling frightened… I think of him and it upsets me. If I hear his name, I tense up and fear he will come for me or stalk me,” she said.

“I’m unable to sleep. I wake up and stay up late. Thoughts of the defendant impact my mental health and I have self harmed on a few occasions.

“I feel like I have changed. On the day I made the report to the police I consumed cannabis as I wanted to forget, to cocoon up and try my best to forget what happened.”

Defendant’s circumstances

Treharne, of Commercial Road, Maesteg, pleaded guilty to sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation. He had no previous convictions.

The court heard mitigation on his behalf, including that he suffers from poor mental health, has a lack of social skills and has struggled with controlling his weight. He had “been plagued by isolation and loneliness” since he was a teenager and experienced severe bullying, leading to anxiety and depression.

The defendant also witnessed the death of his mother from a heart attack in 2023 and has a gambling addiction which resulted in significant debts he is still repaying.

Sentence

Treharne was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He must complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £250 compensation to his victim.

He has also been made subject to sex offender notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for seven years.