Made plans to sexually abuse a nine-year-old child.

Man Jailed After Undercover Sting Targeting Child Abuse

Stephen Biles, 61, has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for attempting to sexually abuse a nine-year-old child. Biles, who resided in Riverside, Ringwood, believed he was communicating with someone who would facilitate the abuse in a hotel. However, he was unknowingly engaging with an undercover police officer.

The investigation, conducted between January and March 2020, involved the creation of a fictitious child for the purpose of the sting. On April 1, 2020, Biles was arrested at his home and authorities seized devices containing 52 indecent images of children classified as category C.

The North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) collaborated with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team (ICAT) to further investigate the case. Biles was charged with possessing indecent images of children and two counts of arranging or facilitating child sex offenses.

While Biles admitted to possessing the indecent images, he initially denied the other charges. However, after a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court on September 4, he was found guilty. Biles was subsequently sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on September 27.

In addition to his prison sentence, Biles was placed on the sex offender register indefinitely and subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.