Buckley man in court after sexual chat with 'decoy' child

Turkey farm worker Martin Ainsbury, of Church Road, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Tuesday morning.

The 29-year-old had previously admitted having attempted to engage in sexual communications with a child, with the offence taking place over a number of months last year.

READ MORE: Wrexham man jailed for sexual chat with what he thought was a schoolgirl

Jemma Gordon, prosecuting, told the court Ainsbury reached out to another account on a social media platform.

He believed and was told that the person on the other side of the screen to be a 13-year-old girl - but he was actually speaking to an undercover police officer.

During the period of his offending, he sent indecent images of himself to the officer, asking on numerous occasions for indecent images to be sent in return.

He also tried to set up a video call with the 'child' but when his attempts were refused he called the conversations a "waste of time" and ended them.

Police arrested him at his place of work and examined his phone.

In the Dock (Image: Canva)

Ms Gordon said the defendant has two convictions for nine offences - the most relevant of which saw him receive a 27 month jail term in 2015 after he carried out sex acts with a child.

Simon Mintz, defending, told Judge Niclas Parry: "I know your honour will take a dim view of a repeat offender, and technically it could have been charged as a more serious offence.

"But at no point did he ask for a meeting, and it is significant that there was no actual victim.

"He was fooled by a decoy."

Mr Mintz said an immediate custodial sentence would impact the defendant's children and former partner, who are financially dependent on him.

Judge Parry said: "Over four months, you put your desire for sexual gratification at the expense of children above all else.

READ MORE: Wrexham man avoids jail after sending sexual messages to 'child' on app

"Despite knowing the risks from previous experiences, despite knowing the consequences for you and your family - and despite having previously completed an accredited intervention programme, you persistently harassed what you genuinely believed was a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual acts including exchanging sexual images.

"It is a serious matter - indicative of someone who has no regard for the wellbeing of children.

"Mercifully there was no actual child - you were engaging with an undercover police officer."

The Judge handed down a 12 month custodial sentence, but suspended it for two years - telling the defendant the community would be better served by his rehabilitation.

Ainsbury was handed a "demanding" set of requirements, including 250 hours of unpaid work, 45 days of rehabilitation activity and 45 sessions on an accredited programme.

He was also made the subject of a 10 year sexual harm prevention order, as well as becoming subject to notification provisions for ten years.

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