"Family Man" Sent Explicit Image to Decoy Police Officer Posing as 12-Year-Old Boy

Robert Jones, a 43-year-old security officer from Cardiff, was sentenced for attempting sexual communication with a minor after he sent an explicit image of himself to a police officer posing online as a 12-year-old boy.

The court heard that Jones had engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the decoy on Kik and Snapchat between August 21 and September 8, 2022. He had described the "boy" as "hot" and made indecent suggestions, including asking him to masturbate.

Jones sent multiple images and videos of himself in his underwear, clearly showing an erection. He also asked the "boy" to send sexualized images of himself.

Police raided Jones' home and seized his iPhone, finding no evidence of other indecent contact. While acknowledging his behavior as "disgusting," Jones claimed he had no sexual motive, stating he felt sorry for the "boy" due to his assumed "closeted" status.

Jones pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to a nine-month prison term, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activity, 150 hours of unpaid work, and pay prosecution costs of £1,200 and a victim services surcharge of £156.

He will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years. The judge emphasized that this was a "last chance" for Jones, who had been the primary breadwinner for his family.