A WEST WALES man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after sending explicit Snapchat messages to an undercover police officer, believing they were a 14-year-old girl.

Curtis Janman admitted he’d fantasised about having sex with girls aged between 14 and 16 when he was arrested by Dyfed-Powys Police.

Within six hours of starting a conversation with ‘Brooke’ on Snapchat, the 27-year-old was sending her explicit messages and photos. He asked about the teenager’s sexual experiences, and detailed intimate activities he would like to engage in – despite being told as early as the sixth message between the pair that she was a child.

What Janman didn’t know was that he was in fact talking to an undercover police officer working as part of a regional organised crime unit to secure evidence against anyone showing criminal intent to harm, abuse or exploit a child.

The concerning content of Janman’s messages, which were sent over two days, led to an investigation into his profile. He was identified as living in Carmarthenshire, and his information was passed to Dyfed-Powys Police to progress enquiries.

On Saturday, November 11, Janman was arrested at his home. He admitted the offence in an interview and was charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

On January 29, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. He must also complete a 31-day accredited programme and 30 days of rehabilitation, and has been handed a five year sexual harm prevention order.

Dyfed-Powys Police Detective Constable George Parker said: “While we are thankful no children were impacted by the defendant’s behaviour in this case, he truly believed he was having these highly sexualised conversations with a 14-year-old girl, which is very concerning.

“This is an individual who has posed a threat to young women and girls in the local area, as he admits he has fantasised about girls around the age of 14 for a significant part of his life. He hasn’t given a reason for this fantasy, other than finding it hard to talk to people of his own age.

“We have chosen to highlight this case on Safer Internet Day to remind parents how important it is to be aware what apps their children are using, and who they are talking to or playing with online. The internet is an amazing place for meeting new people, but unfortunately as we have seen here, there are people online with criminal intent.

“Through the joint investigation by our colleagues in regional organised crime, as well as the work of a number of departments here at Dyfed-Powys Police, there is no doubt that this work will have safeguarded vulnerable young people at risk of coming into contact with Janman.”