Pontypool man caught in paedophile hunter sting admits offence

A man from Pontypool has pleaded guilty to a child sex offence after being caught red-handed by paedophile hunters.

Jason Howells, 53, of Clos Afon Llwyd, Riverside, Pontypool, admitted attempting to sexually communicate with what he believed was a girl under the age of 16.

On October 4, Howells asked what he thought was a child to send him naked pictures and videos. However, he was caught out in a sting operation by the South West Predator Hunters group, who had been using a decoy.

The defendant appeared at Cardiff Crown Court where Judge Shomon Khan adjourned his case until December 1 so that a pre-sentence report could be prepared.

Howells was warned by the judge that all sentencing options would be open to the court at his sentencing hearing.

He must now register as a sex offender and was granted unconditional bail.