A MAN from Anglesey has been jailed after he used social media platforms in Rhuddlan to groom two people he thought were girls aged 14 and 13.

Christopher Roscoe, 43, of Llys Y Rhos, Rhostrehwfa, was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment at Mold Crown Court today (April 19).

He was also made subject to sex offenders register notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), both for 10 years.

Prosecuting, Simon Mintz told the court that, on two occasions between April and May 2022, Roscoe was the subject of decoys set up by a group calling itself “Elite Predator Interceptors”.

READ MORE:

Man delivered 'forceful' punch and threat to support worker in Rhyl

St Asaph law firm supports multi-million pound sale of holiday park

The first involved a person posing as a 14-year-old girl, who Roscoe contacted via a platform called “Tagged”.

Communication between the two continued for about a month, and the girl’s age was disclosed, Roscoe replied: “Thought you may be a little younger than 18… didn’t expect 14, LOL.”

Mr Mintz said that the communication between the parties became “increasingly sexual”, with Roscoe asking her what she was wearing in bed, and going into “graphic detail” about how she could masturbate herself.

On May 8, Roscoe discussed arrangements for meeting her during the summer holidays, telling her that she was “a friend” and that he was “not just looking for sex”.

NEWSLETTER: Get the latest stories from the Rhyl, Prestatyn and Abergele area sent straight to your inbox by signing up here.

In the guise of a 21-year-old man from Bristol, on May 10, Roscoe again contacted her to check her age, when again came back as 14.

The sting was executed on May 12, when Roscoe was lured to what was, in fact, a 25-year-old.

Another decoy took place during the same time period, on an application called “Kik”, where Roscoe sent a photo of his erect penis to a person who told him she was a 13-year-old girl.

Following the stings, police seized Roscoe’s digital devices, and other aspects of communication were found which alluded to an interest in children.

Roscoe’s only previous conviction was in 2000, after he had taken indecent pictures of a child.

Defending, Sarah Yates said that he “clearly needs some more intervention and help”, but is “motivated, and wants to engage” in rehabilitation.

Ms Yates added that, while these offences involved grooming, there was, in reality, “no child involved, or put at risk or harm”.

Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry also ordered Roscoe to pay a £156 statutory surcharge upon his release, and a forfeiture and destruction order regarding the devices taken from him.

He refrained from suspending Roscoe’s sentence because he was “not satisfied, with the protection of the public in mind, that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation at this stage”.

Judge Parry told Roscoe: “Had those with whom you had been engaging been 14 and 13, as you believed them to be, you would have met one of them for sexual purposes, and the younger one would have received a pic of your naked genitalia.

“You lied about your age; you told her not to tell her parents; you would have told her, in detail, how to masturbate herself.

“It’s clear from the electronic devices taken from you that you engaged with other girls under 16.

“You would lie about your age, gender, and being a young parent.

“Mercifully, there were no child victims. Those you were engaging with were adults.

“The police will be keeping an eye on you.”