Sex offender attempted to exchange sexual messages with someone he believed to be a child.

Flintshire Man Jailed for Attempted Child Sex Communication

A Flintshire man has been sentenced to prison after attempting to exchange sexual messages with someone he believed to be a child.

Andrew Lloyd, 39, of Chester Road in Northop Hall, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday. He had previously admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under 16, an offense that occurred over two weeks in October and November.

Prosecutor Karl Scholz explained that the incident violated Lloyd's existing ten-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) in two ways: by attempting communication with a child and by using social networking sites without notifying the police.

Lloyd initiated contact with an online profile displaying a photo of a young girl. Within half an hour of the "girl" informing him she was 12 years old, Lloyd sent her a photo of his exposed genitals. Fortunately, the profile was a decoy operated by a group dedicated to identifying online predators.

The conversation continued on WhatsApp, where Lloyd repeatedly discussed his genitals and requested photos from the girl. The vigilante group, aware of Lloyd's location from the chats, visited his residence and he was promptly arrested.

Scholz reminded the court that Lloyd had received a two-year custodial sentence in September 2021 for similar offenses, leading to the imposition of the ten-year SHPO.

Lloyd confessed to being the individual in the chat and expressed remorse for his actions. He claimed he had been "working well with probation" after his 2021 conviction but had relapsed into drug use and experienced a decline in mental health due to issues at his accommodation.

Defense attorney Elen Owen stated that Lloyd "doesn't want me to make any excuses." She attributed his relapse to threats on his life in prison from someone he shared a bedsit with, which led to his return to cocaine use.

Judge Niclas Parry sentenced Lloyd to two-and-a-half years in prison. He also extended Lloyd's SHPO and notification requirements indefinitely.

"That is hanging over you forever," Judge Parry concluded.