Pontypool man sentenced for child sex offences in Newport

A Pontypool man has been sentenced after sending sexualised messages to what he believed was a 15-year-old schoolgirl in an online sting operation.

Jason Howells, 53, told the “girl” “you are gorgeous and have stunning eyes” after meeting her online. The defendant’s profile picture was that of an erect penis and he had sent a photograph of a topless woman.

Newport Crown Court heard how Howells had written: “You are my beautiful little angel. When I saw you, I wanted you so bad.”

He asked her if she wanted to talk about “sexual stuff” and send him “intimate pictures” of herself.

Howells was being entrapped by paedophile hunters South West Predator Hunters who were using a decoy. He was confronted outside Toby Carvery on Chepstow Road in Newport on Saturday, October 4, and arrested when police were called.

He pleaded guilty to attempting to sexually communicate with child under 16. The defendant had two non-relevant previous convictions.

His barrister James Evans told the court: “He made no attempt to meet this ‘girl’ and when he was confronted, he had gone there thinking he was going to meet a 34-year-old woman.”

The court heard Howells has lost his job, his home and his relationship as a result of his conviction. His family no longer want anything to do with him and he had been living in a tent for a time.

Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant told Howells: “It is clear that the messages were lengthy and vast in number. You invited her to send you intimate photos. You did believe her to be genuine and a person under the age of 16.”

The judge described the sexualised nature of the messages as “sinister”. However, he accepted that the defendant had expressed remorse and spared him an immediate prison sentence.

Howells was jailed for six months, suspended for 18 months. He will have to complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and pay a £187 victim surcharge.

The defendant must register as a sex offender for seven years and he was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.