A MAN from near Abergele has been jailed after he used social networking platforms to engage in sexual communication with a person he believed was a teenage girl.

Martin Woodward, 38, of Cae Glas, Llanfair Talhaiarn, was sentenced to five years and four months’ imprisonment at Caernarfon Crown Court today (July 19).

During today’s hearing, Woodward pleaded guilty to facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, and to attempt to engage in sexual communication with a child.

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Prosecuting, John Philpotts said Woodward was targeted as part of an investigation carried out by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit.

On June 20, using the username “Woody84” on the platform “Chatib”, Woodward engaged with a person purporting to be a 13-year-old girl named Leah.

Woodward told “Leah” he was 38 and from the Salford area where he originates from.

The conversation then moved to “Google Hangouts”, where Woodward appeared to express a particular interest in “Leah”’s underwear.

He later encouraged “Leah” to truant in order to meet him, asked if she wished to be his girlfriend, and said he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her.

They arranged to meet in Chester at 12pm on June 21, but Woodward did not attend.

The following day, he apologised to “Leah” for the arranged meeting not taking place, blaming his absence on “technical issues”.

Woodward offered to buy “Leah” underwear, and sent her an image of an adult female wearing sexually provocative attire, asking if she’d be prepared to wear such clothing.

Police identified Woodward through his IP address linked to his online activity, and he was arrested shortly before 7am on June 27 at his home.

His actions also placed him in breach of an indefinite sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) issued to him at Preston Crown Court in July 2014.

On that occasion, Woodward was convicted of two offences of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and of possession of an indecent image of a child, for which he was also jailed for five years.

In February 2006, Woodward was also convicted of two offences of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Defending, Ember-Jade Wong admitted that Woodward’s previous convictions were, “of course, an aggravating feature of this case”.

She added: “This defendant knows there is very little that can be said on his behalf to mitigate this offending.

“To his credit, he recognises he acted entirely inappropriately, and that this offending has very serious ramifications.

“He hasn’t, in any way, attempted to distance himself from this offending.”

Ms Wong said Woodward suffers from ongoing mental health difficulties, but was in a stable relationship and in employment prior to these offences.

She added that he aims to “use his time in prison productively” in the hope that he can become a law-abiding member of society, and still hopes to pursue a driving career.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Saffman also imposed a deprivation order, with his SOPO remaining enforced indefinitely.

Woodward must also continue to adhere to sex offenders register notification requirements for an indefinite period.