Registered sex offender caught in a police sting arranging to meet a 14-year-old decoy.

48-Year-Old Man Jailed for Three Years for Online Child Sex Offences

A 48-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

The man, identified as Bowes, had previously been handed a 10-year SHPO in 2020. He pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching his SHPO, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence.

The sentencing took place at Sheffield Crown Court last Wednesday (Sept 25).

Investigations officer Fiona Booth, who was the officer in charge of the case, stated: "Bowes believed he was speaking to a 14-year-old child, and yet he continued to make inappropriate sexual advances. A thorough search of his devices led to his crimes being exposed. In comments made prior to his arrest, he was heard saying 'I was only messing about', which shows how little responsibility he took for his actions."

"Bowes posed a high level of risk and we are pleased he has been given an immediate three-year custodial sentence. We will continue investigating the crimes of sex offenders like Bowes to stop them in their tracks and to keep children safe from online sexual predators."