Teenager sent sexual messages to a 15-year-old girl.

Teenager Sentenced for Sending Sexual Messages to Girl in Care

Joshua Tatchell, 19, of Bridgend, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for sending sexually explicit messages to a 15-year-old girl in care and attempting to solicit indecent images from a decoy posing as a 14-year-old girl.

According to court records, Tatchell initiated contact with his victim on Instagram and Snapchat in March 2022. Initially, their conversations were friendly, but Tatchell's behavior quickly escalated, demanding nude photos of the victim and expressing annoyance when she refused.

Tatchell also sent indecent images of himself and videos of himself masturbating. In November 2022, the victim disclosed to her foster carer that Tatchell had asked her to meet up, prompting the police to be called.

Despite the police involvement, Tatchell continued his predatory behavior, contacting a decoy posing as a 14-year-old girl in the current year. He attempted to solicit indecent images from the decoy, exhibiting a similar short temper as he persisted in his requests.

Tatchell pleaded guilty to engaging and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to commission/facilitate a child sex offence. He has been placed on the sex offender notification requirements and subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely.