A FORMER Wrexham man who groomed a child to try and engage in sexual activity has been jailed. 

Jamie Lee Morgan, of Croft Road, Portland, Dorset, but previously of Chirk, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Monday (November 18). 

The 34-year-old had previously admitted inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child. 

Myles Wilson, prosecuting, said the defendant added the victim, on Snapchat - whereby he sent a number of inappropriate images of himself and "encouraged and incited" the victim to engage in penetrative sexual activity with him. 

Morgan suggested that the victim should go round to his house and drink alcohol to get drunk. The victim consistently said no to the defendant - but Morgan persisted. 

The victim eventually blocked the defendant on Snapchat, but he made a new account under a different identity and the messaging continued. 

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The court heard Morgan was arrested in connection with the messages. His phone was examined and police found search terms linked to child-related sexual abuse, and had been talking on social media with men on "how he likes them young", and sexual things he'd like to do to the victim. Mr Wilson said the offences involved elements of grooming

In a victim personal statement, the victim said the impact it's had was "huge". "I'm really wary around adult men in general," the victim said. "I worry that they'll want something sexual from me and I can't trust them." The victim also said they had been having nightmares since the messaging took place."

The victim added: "I don't feel like the same person as I was before, I was happy, I felt like a child and I felt free. Now I feel sad and lonely."

Morgan had previous supervision orders relating to theft, harassment and criminal damage offences - but no convictions since 2014.

Defending, John Wyn Williams, said that the defendant was addicted to cocaine at the time of the offences - something put forward as a potential "explanation" as to why he acted like he did. Morgan has had to move away from the Chirk area due to "repercussions" in the community from his offending. Mr Wyn Williams added that the defendant has suffered from ADHD since childhood, and has taken steps to deal with his cocaine addiction. 

Judge Rhys Rowlands sentenced Morgan to three and a half years imprisonment.