Man jailed for sexual offences against young boys in Wrexham

Hristo Georgiev, of no fixed abode, appeared for sentence at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Wednesday morning.

The 26-year-old, who participated in the hearing with the assistance of a Bulgarian interpreter, had previously admitted attempting to incite a male child to engage in sexual activity, as well as two offences of sexual assault, also committed against a male child.

Joshua Gorst, prosecuting, told the court that the offences took place whilst Georgiev was working at a Turkish barber shop in Wrexham.

The first offence took place when a boy attended the shop for a haircut.

On the day in question, there were no other staff members or customers present and Georgiev quickly turned the conversation sexual as the victim sat in his barber's chair.

The boy felt extremely uncomfortable as Georgiev asked him a number of inappropriate questions using Google translate.

Despite the victim making it clear that he was a child by telling Georgiev his age, the defendant led him into the back of the shop after the haircut.

He indicated to a small bathroom and made what the victim was certain was a proposition for sex.

The boy left the shop immediately and informed his parent, who reported the matter to the police.

Just a week later, another boy attended the shop for a haircut and after he sat in the defendant's chair, Georgiev began to ask him a number of sexually explicit questions.

He asked if the boy wanted to engage in a sex act, to which the victim said no - but the questions didn't stop.

Georgiev then rubbed his crotch over clothing for around ten seconds.

Following the haircut, Georgiev led the victim into the back of the shop.

The victim made it clear to the defendant he didn't want any contact, but Georgiev touched his groin again and said; "Oh come on."

After escaping the shop, the boy reported the incident to police with the help of a parent.

Georgiev was arrested and in interview he denied all allegations made by both boys.

The court heard he had no previous convictions, warnings or cautions.

Hristo Georgiev (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police) Maria Masselis, defending, told the court: "Clearly his strongest mitigation is his guilty pleas.

"In my submission, it is to his credit that though clearly difficult for him to do so, he expressed sexual motivation for his offences to the probation officer.

"Equally he expressed he was genuinely sorry for what he's done, notwithstanding he struggled to understand the impact.

"The defendant is still a young man and he completed mandatory education, then worked for three years as a kitchen porter before he came to the UK.

"He came here to improve his life.

"His behaviour in committing these offences has brought shame on his family and himself."

Ms Masselis asked the court to consider imposing a suspended sentence, explaining: "This is a man regarding whom early offence-focussed work ought to be done.

"The reality is, no work is likely to take place in prison due to his language difficulties and the vast number of prisoners waiting for such work.

"It is not about this defendant, but wider society's interest if he is to remain here that he receives that offence-focussed work."

Judge Niclas Parry told the defendant: "This is a very worrying case. The behaviour was not only predatory, but the level of risk you were prepared to take in a public place shows how far you were able to go.

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"The persistence of your actions emphasise that you're clearly unable to control yourself.

"It is so wrong that parents cannot send their children to have their hair cut without them being safe from sexual abuse."

Judge Parry praised the boys for their bravery in coming forward, adding: "By their actions, they may well have protected others from similar conduct in the future."

Georgiev received an overall sentence of 27 months in jail.

A 10 year sexual harm prevention order was imposed, and the defendant will be subject to notification provisions of the Sexual Offences Act for the same duration.