Somerset Man Jailed for Nine Years for Attempting to Arrange Child Sexual Abuse

Martin Parker, 76, from Evercreech, Somerset, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for attempting to arrange a meeting to sexually abuse a young girl.

Parker pleaded guilty to one count of arranging the commission of a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. The court heard that he had sent numerous messages online in February and March of this year, attempting to arrange a meeting with a child.

Parker was arrested at his home in May and was unaware that his online activity was being investigated by the police. This prevented any child from being put at risk.

His Honour Judge Edward Burgess, presiding over the case at Taunton Crown Court on July 19th, described Parker's actions as "utterly despicable and contemptuous."

In addition to his prison sentence, Parker received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be a registered sex offender for life.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Harvey Ahern, who led the investigation, stated: "At Avon and Somerset Police we are committed to the protection of children and the prosecution of offenders seeking to harm them, whether be that online or in person. There are no safe spaces for offenders to hide that we will not find."