Paedophile Caught by Hunters in Asda Car Park After Explicit Videos

A paedophile who sent explicit images and videos to who he believed was a 13-year-old girl has been sentenced after being caught by hunters in an Asda car park.

Nathaniel Bolwell, 30, of Linden Road in Newport, was trapped in his car at Asda in Pill after messaging a decoy account run by paedophile hunters.

The court heard Bolwell first contacted the ‘girl’ in February, asking “Hi, how are you?” When told she was 13, he initially replied “bye” but resumed contact in April.

Despite being told again that she was 13, Bolwell sent topless pictures of himself and images of his bottom, including ones exposing his anus. He messaged that he was “naked” and “horny”, asked if she was naked, and requested explicit pictures.

Bolwell told the decoy he “wanted to smack her bottom” and couldn’t wait until she was 18 so they could have sex. He sent a message saying he was “thinking about her and his penis was hard”, before sending an image of himself with an erection and a video of him masturbating.

Paedophile hunters located Bolwell at the Asda car park, detained him in his vehicle and called police, who arrested him after being shown the messages.

Martha Smith-Higgins, mitigating, said: “The only reason he’s been able to identify is loneliness and boredom at the time of the offending. He acknowledges that there is work to be done.”

Recorder Paul Lewis KC told Bolwell: “She told you on more than one occasion she was 13 years old and you continued to message her. I’m satisfied the messages were intended to groom the person you thought was only 13 years old.”

Bolwell pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child and was sentenced to a two-year community order with 100 hours unpaid work, 26 sessions of an accredited programme, and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He must register as a sex offender for five years.