Making and distributing indecent images of children.

Paedophile Jailed for Five-and-a-Half Years in Undercover Sting

A paedophile caught in a sting by undercover police was jailed for five-and-a-half years today.

Judge Rhys Rowlands told John Reynolds, 40, formerly of Flintshire: "This was repeated depraved behaviour on your part which has to attract an immediate custodial sentence."

Reynolds had been convicted after a trial of making, taking and distributing sexual images of children.

Judge Rowlands at Mold crown court ordered Reynolds, who appeared on a video link from Berwyn jail at Wrexham, to register as a sex offender indefinitely and a sexual harm prevention order was made.

The judge said the jury had rejected his risible explanation for his behaviour.

Defence barrister Simon Mills said Reynolds was of previous good character. There's no evidence his distribution reached the wider paedophile community. "Links to the images went to undercover police operatives," counsel added.

Reynolds had been hard-working, well-qualified and an expert in his particular industry.

Prosecutor Andrew Green said in the summer of 2019 police had posed online as paedophiles and had been in touch with Reynolds. When police went to his home he was away working in Europe. Mr Green said Reynolds was asked to bring an iPhone to a police station on his return to Britain but he claimed it had been lost.