Powys sex offender caught by police posing as teenage girl

Connor Friel, aged 25, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to having conversations that were sexual in nature with the young teen called Ava on a messaging and chat app earlier this year.

Mold Crown Court heard that Friel told the girl that he'd "like to see her naked and maybe get lucky at some point" and sent a photo of his private part.

The Llanidloes man admitted attempting to cause a female under 16 to engage in sexual communication between September 7 and 21 this year. He also admitted two breaches of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), between August 24 and September 21 and August 23 and September 9.

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His Honour Rhys Rowlands said the offences were so serious that they "clearly" crossed the custody threshold, and that it appeared that he learnt "very little which is very discouraging" after being handed a suspended sentence in November 2020 for possessing indecent images of children.

"You're in a relationship and have a child which makes the behaviour even more concerning," the judge added.

David Mainstone, prosecuting, said: "Unfortunately for Mr Friel it was an undercover police officer.

"He continued to message Ava and asked her what she was up to and asked if she was wearing her uniform. She sent a photo, and he complimented her legs and said he’d like to see her naked and maybe get lucky at some point. The following day they swapped to WhatsApp.

"On 18th September he told her that she was sexy and suggested a photo of her in her bra. The officer saw the [other] app that on the 16th of September Mr Friel had sent a photo of his penis. 'Ava' asked what he wanted and he said 'a nude'. Ava said she’d be embarrassed. Mr Friel said she probably has a good body and asked for 'a nude or just boobs'."

Friel's phone was seized after he was arrested on September 20. The court heard that he was prevented from using social media as part of the five-year SHPO imposed in November 2020.

Gareth Bellis, acting on behalf of Friel, told the judge that the young dad was "fully aware" that he was going to straight to prison after pleading guilty to carrying out the serious offences.

He said: "Firstly it was an attempt; there was no harm although it does tick those boxes within the sentencing guidelines.

"With regards to sexual communications with a child, an image was sent but nothing was received by a child, it was an undercover police officer.

"It wasn’t a long period of time. It was three years into the order when this happened."

Friel appeared via video link from HMP Parc in Bridgend to hear his sentence on Tuesday, December 12.

Judge Rowlands said: "Plainly if this was a child, very great harm would have been caused. Had she existed you would have been 12 years older than her. There was a repeated degree of persistence on your part, and breaches of the SHPO over one month.

"Having undertaken rehabilitation with the probation service, the report author writes that it appears you have learnt very little which is very discouraging.

"You’re in a relationship and have a child which makes the behaviour even more concerning. You had a difficult time in school but you have a very good work record over the years.

"This clearly crosses the custody threshold. This case doesn’t simply fall on the cusp."

Friel must also have his name on sexual offenders register for 10 years.