Attempting to meet child for sex.

Eastleigh Man Jailed for Attempting to Meet Child

A 46-year-old Eastleigh man, Simon Patrick Westwood, has been sentenced to five years in prison for attempting to meet a person he believed to be a child.

Westwood engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with individuals he thought were children over a nine-month period, from January 2021 to October 2021. He also made arrangements and traveled to a predetermined location to meet with who he believed was a child, though the child was not real.

Westwood pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offense. He was sentenced on Monday at Southampton Crown Court.

In addition to his prison sentence, Westwood was ordered to register as a sex offender and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Angela Smith-Jones, who led the investigation, stated, "In a world where social media is so pervasive in the lives of young people, and messages can be easily exchanged with unknown individuals, it's crucial that we, as law enforcement, are able to investigate when we believe criminal activities have taken place during these interactions."

Smith-Jones further highlighted the collaboration with the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) in building a strong case against Westwood. She emphasized the commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, including children, from potential sexual exploitation and expressed hope that this conviction serves as a deterrent.

Detective Inspector James Oxley of SEROCU underscored the importance of cooperation with Hampshire Constabulary in conducting a thorough investigation, demonstrating their continuous efforts to combat sexual exploitation and ensure the safety of children.

Smith-Jones concluded by urging others to be aware of the "dangers of the digital world" and encouraged victims of child sexual abuse to come forward.