Dad's sexual images to police officer posing as 12-year-old

Stewart Alderton, from Knighton on the Herefordshire-Powys border, believed he was talking to a 12-year-old girl called Sophie on an instant messaging app, when in fact it was an undercover police officer acting as a decoy.

During a nine-day period in October 2020 the 40-year-old sent sexually explicit images of his genitals to the ‘girl’ and also later sent a video involving sexual activity. He was traced to his address where he was arrested on October 27.

Alderton, of Wylcwm Place, previously admitted two charges, including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and causing a child under 13 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity.

Appearing at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday, November 17, Alderton wept as details of his offending were read out. He was jailed by Judge Timothy Petts for 58 weeks, but the prison term was suspended for a period of two years.

Prosecutor Paulinus Barnes said that the defendant, 38 at the time and married, had asked how old Sophie was and that when she replied she was 12 the conversation soon escalated to Alderton sending her images of his genitals.

“He told her where he worked, he asked for her email address on Skype and there were further discussions about school and lessons she was taking,” said Mr Barnes.

“He asked for images of her and sent two images of his face then two more images of his genitals. He asked her if she liked what he'd sent. Later, he sent a video of a man engaging in a sexual activity and said he wished he was with her.”

Mr Barnes said the last communication was on October 24, with Alderton arrested three days later.

“His mobile was seized and he said he'd never communicated with an underage child, which was clearly not the case,” said Mr Barnes.

Simon Rogers, acting for Alderton, said his client felt “huge amounts of shame” for what he’d done, which had resulted in the break-up of his marriage.

“He entered guilty pleas and these are important, they are an acceptance of his responsibility and the best indication of his remorse,” said Mr Rogers.

“I accept the court will be concerned by his lack of acceptance within the report that he had a sexual interest in children. The author says he did engage in a discussion and explored his offending.

“He does accept engagement with the decoy was driven by sexual curiosity.

“He has made positive efforts to seek rehabilitation; he has sought assistance from a councillor and a sexual therapist."

He added: “He feels huge amounts of shame for what he's done and the impact it’s had upon others. He is a hard-working individual. He informed his employer of his conviction and his employment is dependent on him remaining out of prison."

He added that Alderton had no previous convictions, cautions or reprimands.

“There is no suggestion he's behaved this way towards young girls,” said Mr Rogers.

Judge Petts told Alderton: “You engaged in online chat with what you thought was 12-year-old girl.

“You very quickly changed the conversation sexual. Quite how you thought this was appropriate is a mystery. To your credit, since your arrest you have attempted to understand and work with those who can help you with your distorted sexualised thoughts towards children.

“It is a mitigating factor that no 12-year-old was at risk but you weren't to know that. I note that you are 40 and this is the very first time you’ve been in trouble."

He added: “The best protection for the public is to have a sentence hanging over you while you undertake work with probation so no 12-year-old is at risk in the future.”

Alderton was jailed for 58 weeks, with a further 24 weeks to be served concurrently for charge one – but Judge Petts suspended the sentence for two years.

He was ordered to complete 45 rehabilitation activity requirement days as well as 150 hours unpaid work. He must also sign the sex offender’s register and comply with a sexual harm prevention order, both of which will be in place for 10 years.