Paedophile believed woman would let him abuse 'nine-year-old girl'.

A man who engaged in sexually explicit conversations with what he believed was a nine-year-old girl's mother was spared from prison, described as "very lucky" by the judge.

Struan Taylor, formerly of Victoria Street in Kettering, thought he was communicating with the child's mother when he discussed meeting her for sexual activity, believing she would allow him to abuse her daughter. However, he was unaware that he was actually communicating with an undercover police officer.

Taylor, now residing in Sutherland Way, Livingston, Scotland, was arrested on January 25, 2022, after sending explicit images of himself and detailing his intentions to "meet" the child. He denied attempting to arrange or facilitate a child sex offense but was convicted by a jury.

During the sentencing at Leicester Crown Court on Friday, Taylor, wearing a blue suit, was given a suspended sentence and placed on the sex offender register. He had already spent two months in prison on remand before being released on bail ahead of his trial.

His Honour Judge Ebraham Mooncey stated that Taylor's claims of lacking sexual gratification and seeking to fulfill the fantasy of the person he was communicating with were "palpable nonsense." The judge emphasized that Taylor's actions were motivated by his own sexual desires and an intent to meet with a child.

The prosecution, Claire Fraser, highlighted the significant age disparity and the sentencing guidelines for the offense, which carry a starting point of five years in prison, ranging from four to ten years.

Defense attorney Stephen Garbett argued that no firm meeting was ever arranged and that the conversations were solely with the "mother," not the "child." He emphasized Taylor's lack of prior convictions and claimed he was "horrified" by the messages he sent.

Mr. Garbett described Taylor as a "very, very changed person" and urged the judge to suspend the sentence, acknowledging the significant request. He attributed Taylor's actions to a "pretty awful mistake."

Judge Mooncey, while acknowledging Taylor's mitigation, found his behavior "worrying." He reduced the sentence from four years to three years due to the absence of an actual child. Further mitigation led to another reduction to two years, ultimately resulting in a suspended sentence.

The judge expressed his willingness to suspend the two-year sentence due to Taylor's previous experience in custody and the prospect of rehabilitation. He stated, "I hope the probation service can work with you, and the court will never see you again."

Taylor was ordered to participate in rehabilitation activities, complete 100 hours of unpaid work, and comply with a sexual harm prevention order. He will remain on the sex offender register for 10 years.