An individual, Paul Chesher Herbrandston Paedophile, with predatory intentions was apprehended while communicating with someone he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. He instructed her to record herself engaging in a sexual act and transmit the video to him.
Paul Chesher, a resident of Herbrandston, initiated communication with a teenager named ‘Ellie’ on the social networking platform Kik on August 31, 2021. The individual in question was, in fact, an undercover police officer.
According to prosecutor Regan Walters, when the decoy claimed to be at school, Paul Chesher asked them to go to the toilet and discreetly send him a photograph.
The defendant transmitted photographs depicting his visage and informed the decoy that he was 56.
According to Mr. Walters, Paul Chesher consistently described ‘Ellie’ as being underage, warned that he could face legal consequences, including imprisonment, and suggested that ‘Ellie’ might be an undercover police officer. Paul Chesher also expressed his belief that the situation was morally incorrect.
Nevertheless, he persisted in requesting images from the decoy, enquiring about her undergarments, and probing into her sexual encounters. In addition, he instructed ‘Ellie’ to erase their dialogue.
Paul Chesher instructed the individual to engage in self-stimulation and requested them to record the act and transmit the video to him.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.
The police successfully traced Chesher’s email and subsequently determined his IP address. The individual was apprehended at his residence on October 22, 2021.
The individual, currently 66 years old, with no prior criminal record, admitted to the charges of attempting to communicate sexually with a minor and two counts of trying to involve a minor in sexual activities.
In his defence, Stuart John stated that there was a significant lapse of time before the case was brought to court.
“He has never encountered any form of trouble previously,” he stated.
“He experiences profound shame due to his arrest for offences of this nature.”
According to Mr John, Chesher experienced medical problems that resulted in feelings of isolation at the time of his criminal behaviour.
According to Mr Walters, the delay was a prolonged period of over a year in which the devices were being studied. The review of the material was not finished until last August. Additionally, there was a delay in obtaining clearance from Homeland Security in America to access information from Kik.
“You continued engaging in these activities for a duration exceeding one month.” “You were fully aware of the anticipated repercussions,” stated Judge Geraint Walters.
“This was not a temporary error in judgement, but rather a consistent one.”
“You have yet to fully acknowledge that the motivation was not related to your mental or physical well-being, but rather your attraction to children.”
Chesher received a 27-month jail sentence. He is required to enrol as a sex offender for ten years and has been placed under a sexual harm prevention order for the same length of time.
Detective Constable Paul Kelly from Dyfed Powys Police stated that the sentencing and investigation showcased exemplary cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
“This conveys a distinct message to wrongdoers that committing crimes against children is detestable and that we, as law enforcement officers, will locate the wrongdoers and pursue justice for the children affected.”
According to Detective Constable Isaac Gott, who is a case officer for the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), their unit is committed to identifying those who have a sexual attraction to children, and they will persistently pursue them.
“Furthermore, in conjunction with his punishment, Chesher has been issued a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be obligated to enrol as a sex offender for ten years.”