Co Antrim man sent 'sexually explicit' messages to decoy he thought was a 14-year-old girl
A 41-year-old man sent 'sexually explicit' messages to a decoy posing as a 14-year-old girl, a court has heard.
Stuart Peter Rawlinson (41), of Birch Hill Park in Antrim town, pleaded guilty to a charge of 'attempted sexual communication with a child' between March 31 and April 24 last year.
He was at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday, January 22.
A prosecutor said the defendant originally pretended to be a 16-year-old and sent "sexualised messages". He then moved on to Snapchat and this time he claimed to be 18.
The court was told the "communication was very sexual".
The defendant initially told police he "knew nothing about" the offending but his phone was seized for examination and he was linked to the offending.
When he admitted the offence he "claimed to be disgusted with the messages" saying he had been "naive and stupid".
The defendant had a previously clear record.
A defence barrister said the defendant expressed remorse and regret and his client welcomes any help to prevent re-offending.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the messages were "quite explicit and quite persistent" and the defendant "obviously thought you were communicating with a 14-year-old female".
He said the defendant told Probation he had "reflected" on his behaviour and was "embarrassed" by the offending.
The judge said Probation said the defendant was suitable for a Probation Order.
Judge Broderick said Probation is not a "soft option" as it involves "intense" work designed to "prevent reoffending and to address the underlying nature" of the incidents.
He said he was taking into account the guilty plea, clear record and expressions of remorse.
The defendant was put on Probation for 18 months with conditions of not having any contact with children unless approved.
He must not access any device with internet capacity.
A five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order was also put in place and the defendant was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for five years.