The Exeter Paedophile, Benjamin Holt, participated in online group chats with former theatre manager Gareth Weeks and a minor, during which they shared their deviant sexual fantasies.
Benjamin Holt solicited the boy to engage in self-directed sexual behaviours and was arranging a rendezvous for sexual intercourse; however, the intended victim recognised the peril and withdrew from the situation.
Authorities discovered the chats subsequent to the apprehension of 55-year-old Gareth Weeks in Exmouth for engaging in sexual relations with another 14-year-old whom he encountered on the gay dating platform Grindr.
Benjamin Holt had additionally downloaded a film depicting a nine-year-old kid engaging in sexual acts with a dog. The police discovered it on his phone, accompanied by another video depicting bestiality involving an adult woman.
He was a registered sex offender, having already been incarcerated for downloading photographs of minors during his adolescence.
His latest conviction occurred for a comparable offence in 2012.
Benjamin Holt, 37, of Old Market Close, Exeter, confessed to enticing a minor to participate in sexual activity, downloading an indecent image of a child, and possessing extreme pornography.
He was incarcerated for three years and four months, subjected to a two-year and eight-month extended licence, and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
He was also prohibited from contacting children for 15 years by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The judge stated, “This was not a mere fantasy; you intended for this to occur.”
The boy’s exit from the group conversation was the sole factor that impeded your objective.
You possess a pronounced sexual attraction to young boys.
“You have candidly expressed in the probation report your intense desire to meet and potentially exploit young children.”
Miss Emily Pitts, prosecuting, stated that Benjamin Holt was identified following a police investigation into more severe abuse offences, which revealed his group chats were he conversed about engaging in various sexual acts with the kid.
The photographs were discovered during the seizure of his gadgets by law enforcement.
Miss Rachel Smith, in defence, stated that Benjamin Holt acknowledges his issue and seeks assistance to resolve it.
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