Walcott Paedophile Sean Denniston, a convicted sex offender proposed to a teenage girl, who was an adult decoy, that they watch Harry Potter before initiating a sexual relationship, according to court testimony.
Sean Denniston, a convicted sex offender against minors, persistently communicated with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old on Facebook, despite informing her of his engagement.
Norwich Crown Court heard the 34-year-old and the decoy exchanged selfies before Sean Denniston suggested they meet to see a Harry Potter film and visit “Harry Potter land”.
Lynne Shirley, prosecuting, said Sean Denniston told the decoy they should meet up in Walcott, where he lived, as part of repeated communication for five weeks.
She said Sean Denniston told the girl they should keep their communication a “secret” telling her she should say she was a “friend of his niece” if his partner asked her.
Sean Denniston asked her if she would have sex with him and suggested they do it when her mother was not at her home in Norwich.
Sean Denniston asked her if she would be “up for it” and said he would be “gentle”.
Miss Shirley said on July 16 this year, members of the paedophile hunter group attended his address and alerted police.
Sean Denniston, of Ostend Road, Walcott, appeared in court for sentencing on Friday, having admitted attempted sexual communication with a child between June and July this year.
He also admitted being in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Jailing him for 30 months, Recorder Paul Garlick said these were “serious offences” made more serious by his previous offences.
Lori Tucker, mitigating, said Sean Denniston, who deserved credit for the plea, had a problem with alcohol – which was at the root of his offending – and has suffered from non-epileptic seizures.
She said as it was an adult decoy, Sean Denniston had been communicating, and there was no actual risk of harm.
But she accepted there must be some harm as Sean Denniston thought he was dealing with a child.
Sean Denniston was also made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
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