Man handed suspended sentence for sexual messages sent to decoy account

Man handed suspended sentence for sexual messages sent to decoy account

A 43-year-old man who sent sexually explicit messages to what he thought was a 15-year-old boy has been sentenced.

Leigh Brown, of Badminton Road in Jaywick, Clacton-on-Sea, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, 8 October, where he was sentenced to two years’ and three months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

He had previously been found guilty of three counts of making indecent images of a child and one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, following a five-day trial.

Brown was arrested at his former home address in Haverhill in April 2018 after police received information from a member of public about suspected online sexual communication with children.

Officers conducted a search of his property and seized multiple devices for forensic examination.

These identified indecent images of children on four devices, with more than 250 images and videos:

The court heard that Brown had also directly messaged an account on Grindr of a boy unknown to him.

The boy did not exist and was a decoy account.

The exchange quickly became sexual and the ‘boy’ told Brown that he was 15 years’ old. Brown later asked him if he would meet people offline.

Brown provided his phone number and the conversation moved to WhatsApp, where he continued to engage in sexual conversation and ask for explicit images. The ‘boy’ repeated that he was 15 years’ old.  

Brown again asked the ‘boy’ about meeting up, before communication ceased and the matter was later reported to police.

In addition to his sentence, Brown was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115.

DC Tina Kitley-Sparks from the Safeguarding Investigation Unit, who was the officer in charge of the case, said: “Although thankfully a decoy account, Brown attempted to prey on what he believed was a child. He is clearly a risk to children.

“We remain committed to protecting all young people from those who attempt to abuse them.”

For advice around staying safe online, please visit Online child abuse | Suffolk Constabulary

The Suffolk police website contains useful guidance and information for parents, guardians, professionals and children to help safeguard them from harm Advice for parents, guardians and professionals | Suffolk Constabulary

If you are concerned about an individual you can use the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership link Concerned — Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership