Isle of Wight man used job at library to groom child.

A Newport man who abused his position in a library to access a child's contact details and incite her into sexual activity has been sentenced to prison.

Glyn Viney, from Barton Road, appeared in the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Thursday, where he was handed a three-year and four-month jail sentence.

Viney, who had no prior convictions, previously pleaded guilty to five charges related to child sexual abuse, including causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual communication with a child, and making indecent images of a child.

The court heard that Viney, pretending to be a 16-year-old boy named Gary Barlow on Snapchat, targeted a 15-year-old girl he had noticed at the library where he worked. He obtained her contact information through library records and initiated online conversations that quickly turned sexual.

The victim reported the abuse to her foster carer, who then contacted the police. Viney was arrested in August 2019, and his phone, which contained a Snapchat account and a screen recording app, was seized by authorities.

Evidence revealed Viney had demanded sexual images and acts from the victim, and messages indicated a power imbalance in their interactions. The court also heard that Viney referenced sexual gratification in the context of the victim's pain, demonstrating his awareness of her vulnerabilities.

While authorities were unable to verify the identities of other victims, Viney admitted to using multiple Snapchat accounts and pretending to be a teenager. He acknowledged his mental breakdown at the time, which the judge attributed to his shame.

Viney's defense counsel stated that he was a previously productive individual who had thrown away his life and regretted his actions. He expressed remorse and claimed to have no intention of repeating his offenses.

In addition to his prison sentence, Viney was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely and subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years. He was also ordered to pay a £181 victim surcharge.