Man spared jail over sex messages sent to '14-year-old' in paedophile sting

A MILFORD man with learning difficulties broke down in tears when a judge decided not to jail him for sending sexual messages to a person he thought was a 14-year-old boy.

William Reed (45) was spared jail by Judge Gary Burrell because of the mental health difficulties he suffered and the fact he still cares for his elderly mother.

Reed, of Manor Road, appeared before Southampton Crown Court having admitted attempting to communicate with an underage person for his own sexual gratification over a 12-day period in October last year.

Prosecutor Nicholas Hall said Reed sent messages to the profile of a 14-year-old boy called Adam Davis. But in fact it was a fake profile created and operated by an adult who was a member of a paedophile sting group – which was not identified in court.

Reed initiated the contact and his messages were sexualised in tone, the prosecutor said, adding: “When he made contact the child replied, ‘I’m Adam and 14 and from Scotland’.

“Sample conversations over the period in question indicated the defendant was asking all sort of questions which had a sexual nature.”

The paedophile sting group travelled to Reed’s home to confront him and he was arrested by police, Mr Hall said.

In an interview with officers Reed, who had no previous convictions, initially denied the offending before making admissions.

Judge Burrell noted a pre-sentence report which detailed Reed’s learning difficulties, mental health and personal circumstances.

Taking into account his mother’s age, the fact Reed cares for her, and it was a first offence, he opted not to send him down.

Defending Reed, Chris Gaiger said putting his client on a probation order would allow him to get “some structure” to his life.

Judge Burrell imposed a two-year community order, during which Reed will attend a course designed to curb his offending. He also handed him a five-year sexual harm prevention

order.

“I know you have had mental health issues but what you did was wrong and you knew that,” Judge Burrell told a tearful Reed. “You put yourself at risk of prison and if you went to prison it would be a very bad time.

“You will continue to live with your mother, who needs your help. You are lucky you still have a supportive mother and others who are prepared to help you. You must take advantage of your help.

“You must not do this again.”