A WREXHAM man who engaged in sexual chats with what he thought was a young girl - but was in fact a decoy - has been jailed.

Maher Jerjnazi, 37, of Penybryn, appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, June 6.

He was previously found guilty following trial of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under the age of 16.

The court heard that the offending took place in July of 2021, when the defendant began to talk to what he thought was a 12-year-old girl named Veda.

However 'Veda', was in fact a decoy set up via social media by a child protection group, the court was told.

He sent her a friend request and after that was accepted, he began to send her sexual messages.

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The court was told that Jerjnazi repeatedly told her that it was 'time to transition into adulthood' and asked for photos.

When she refused to send him pictures, he sent back a picture of male genitalia.

Stephen Edwards, defending, said that Jerjnazi admits 'things got out of hand' and that he is 'sorry for that'.

Mr Edwards added that Jerjnazi had moved to Wrexham from Syria through the re-settlement scheme in 2019.

He added that the defendant and his wife and two children had come from a 'difficult background' in Syria where there was civil unrest.

Mr Edwards maintained that an immediate custodial sentence would have an impact on the family due to Jerjnazi's wife being unable to speak English.

The defendant was also the only one who was able to drive and needed to do regular trips to Liverpool and Manchester in order to purchase Halal food, the court was told.

Jerjnazi was described in court as someone who has a 'strong work ethic' and has worked throughout his time in this country.

Passing down sentence, Judge Rhys Rowlands described the case as a 'serious offence'.

Judge Rowlands added: "You were seeking to corrupt a child not much older than your own children."

Jerjnazi was handed a 10 month prison sentence and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will be on the sex offenders register for 10 years.