Crime
Herbrandston predator sentenced for attempted child exploitation online
A 66-YEAR-OLD man from Herbrandston has been sentenced to 27 months in prison after he was caught attempting to groom what he believed was a 12-year-old girl online.
Paul Chesher, who had no prior convictions, was apprehended after engaging in explicit conversations with an undercover police officer posing as a schoolgirl named ‘Ellie’ on the social media platform Kik.
The exchanges began on 31 August 2021, when Chesher initiated contact with ‘Ellie’ and soon began making inappropriate requests. Prosecutor Regan Walters revealed that Chesher repeatedly asked the decoy to send him explicit images, instructing her to “sneak to the bathroom” while at school and photograph herself. Chesher also sent images of his own face and admitted to the decoy that he was 56 years old.
Despite recognising the illegal nature of his actions—regularly commenting that ‘Ellie’ was “too young” and acknowledging that he “could go to jail”—Chesher continued his predatory behaviour. He requested details about her underwear, enquired about her sexual experiences, and even directed the decoy to perform explicit acts and film them.
Police tracked Chesher down using his email and IP address, leading to his arrest at his home on 22 October 2021. After a delay in bringing the case to court, partly due to the time taken to analyse electronic devices and secure data from the United States-based Kik platform, Chesher pleaded guilty to charges of attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity.
In mitigation, Chesher’s defence highlighted his medical issues and the loneliness he experienced at the time of the offences. However, Judge Geraint Walters, presiding over the case, rejected these excuses, stating that Chesher’s actions were persistent and deliberate. “This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgement, it was a persistent one,” the judge said. “You knew full well what the consequences of this were to be.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Chesher must register as a sex offender for 10 years and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.
Detective Constable Paul Kelly of Dyfed Powys Police praised the successful outcome of the case, stating: “This sentence and the investigation itself demonstrated excellent collaborative working between police agencies. It sends a clear message to perpetrators that crime against children is abhorrent, and that we as police will find the perpetrators and seek justice for the children involved.”
Detective Constable Isaac Gott of the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) echoed these sentiments, adding: “Our ROCU is dedicated to identifying individuals who have a sexual interest in children, and we will relentlessly pursue them.”
Chesher’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that children face online and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to protect them from harm.
Crime
Sex offender had with hidden phone containing indecent child images
A CONVICTED sex offender has been caught with a secret mobile phone containing indecent images of children, in addition to breaching a court order by using and deleting Snapchat.
Euwyn Draper, 21, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, in April for offences involving the making and distribution of indecent images of children. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to register as a sex offender and was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
The SHPO prohibited Draper from possessing any internet-enabled devices not registered with the police, deleting any internet history or applications, and from holding social media accounts under false names. However, Draper was found to have violated several of these conditions.
According to prosecutor Emily Bennett, Draper informed police that he owned only an Xbox and a mobile phone with internet access. He was instructed to delete a second Instagram account, which he had registered under an anonymous name, and his Snapchat account due to concerns about the app’s ability to delete messages.
Between May 5 and July 10, e-safe software monitoring Draper’s registered phone flagged multiple instances where the Snapchat logo appeared on the device’s status bar. Investigators determined that Draper had used the app on at least two occasions, breaching the terms of his SHPO.
When Draper was asked to attend the police station, officers noted that he had deliberately taken a longer route. Upon questioning, he admitted that this was to allow himself time to delete Snapchat from his phone.
During a visit to his home, officers discovered a phone charger under Draper’s pillow, leading them to find a second mobile phone, hidden from the authorities. The accounts on this device matched those on his registered phone.
Draper claimed this second phone was old and that he had forgotten about it, asserting that he did not believe it was still functional. However, investigators found that across his devices, there were seven Category A images, three Category B images, and one Category C image – all created in November and December of the previous year, prior to the imposition of his SHPO.
Draper, who has one previous conviction for six offences, pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and four counts of making indecent images of children.
In mitigation, defence barrister Dan Griffiths acknowledged that Draper had an “unhealthy interest and compulsion” to view the illegal material. He argued that as the breaches had occurred so soon after Draper’s initial sentencing, there had not yet been adequate time for rehabilitation efforts to prevent further offending.
“The support he so desperately needs is not going to be offered to him while he is in prison,” Mr Griffiths added.
The court was informed that Draper had spent the last two months in custody and had been evicted from his home as a result.
Judge Paul Thomas KC adjourned sentencing in order to establish whether Draper would have a place to live in the community upon his release, acknowledging that prison time was a possibility.
“He could not complain if he got 16 months in prison,” the judge remarked. “However, I take your point that, in the long term, it is in everyone’s best interest that he gets over this addiction.”
Draper, previously of Goat Street, Haverfordwest, was remanded back into custody and is due to return to court for sentencing on September 26.
Crime
Man arrested following violent Incident in Pembroke Dock
A 35-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of assault following a violent incident in the Wesley Court and Bush Street area of Pembroke Dock on Tuesday, 10th September 2024. Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that the man was detained as part of their ongoing investigation into the altercation, which reportedly left eight people assaulted, though none required hospital treatment.
The police were called to the scene on Tuesday evening after reports of a disturbance. It is understood that a knife may have been involved, though authorities have emphasised that no serious injuries were sustained. The nature of the injuries remains unclear, but police have reassured the public that no one was taken to hospital.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, a large-scale search operation was launched, with uniformed and plainclothes officers concentrating their efforts around the Bramble Hall Farm area on Ferry Lane. Local residents reported a significant police presence as officers scoured fields and nearby residential areas in an attempt to locate the suspect.
Despite the swift and extensive deployment of resources, the suspect initially evaded capture, sparking concern in the community. However, the arrest of a man earlier today brings the investigation one step closer to resolution. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and the individual’s involvement.
Dyfed-Powys Police have urged anyone with information that could assist with their enquiries to come forward. They are asking witnesses or anyone with relevant details to contact them online, via email, or by calling 101. Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals can use the text service at 07811 311 908. The police have asked the public to quote reference number DP-20240910-289 when providing information.
For those wishing to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers is also available to take information confidentially via their website or by phone at 0800 555111.
Crime
Haverfordwest man accused of creating indecent images of children
A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been charged with creating eleven indecent images of children, including seven in the most serious category.
Euwyn Draper appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Sept 9), where he faced charges relating to the production of the illicit material.
Draper, of Goat Street, Haverfordwest, stands accused of making three category B indecent images of a child, one category C image, and seven category A images, the latter being the most severe in terms of content.
The offences are alleged to have taken place on two separate occasions, on 9th November and 26th December of last year, all within Haverfordwest.
During his court appearance, Draper indicated that he intends to plead guilty to all four charges. The magistrates subsequently remanded him in custody ahead of a scheduled hearing at Swansea Crown Court later this month.
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