A SOUTHAMPTON man sent sexual videos of himself to an 11-year-old girl, a court heard.

Man Jailed for Attempting to Send Intimate Images to Decoy Child Account

Matthew Peter Wood, 19, of Old Redbridge Road, Southampton, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, for attempting to send intimate images to a decoy account set up to catch paedophiles.

Wood, who pleaded guilty to the offenses, used Facebook Messenger to contact a decoy account posing as a young girl named Sophie. He sent the account intimate images and videos of himself, and asked Sophie to send him naked photos.

The prosecution, led by Jonathan Underhill, outlined how Wood was confronted by a group of paedophile hunters in Southampton. Initially, Wood denied the accusations, claiming his phone had been hacked. However, he admitted to the offenses after being presented with screenshots of his interactions with Sophie.

Wood was charged with intentionally attempting to communicate with a person under 16, the communication being intended to encourage her to make a sexual communication, and intentionally attempting to cause a child to look at an image of himself engaging in sexual activity.

Mark Florida-James, Wood's defense attorney, stated that his client suffered from depression since the age of 12, when his girlfriend passed away. He pleaded for leniency, highlighting Wood's young age and his fear of the consequences.

Judge Peter Henry, during sentencing, expressed concerns about the methods employed by paedophile hunters, stating that a fine line exists between those acting with virtuous intentions and those seeking recognition.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Wood was ordered to complete 60 rehabilitation activity days and 120 hours of unpaid work. He was also placed under a seven-year sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender for the same period.

Judge Henry warned Wood that had he been communicating with a real child, he would have faced a much harsher sentence.