A CONVICTED sex offender from Abergele who used multiple aliases to speak to children has been jailed.

Arfon Griffiths, 44, of Ger y Mor, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment at Caernarfon Crown Court today (March 15).

He had previously admitted numerous counts of breaching his sexual harm prevention order, two offences of failing to comply with sex offenders register notification requirements, and one charge of attempted sexual communication with a child.

READ MORE:

Rhyl chiropodist's receptionist named town’s ‘outstanding employee’

Housing development site manager from Prestatyn is an award winner

Prosecuting, David Mainstone told the court that Griffiths became a convicted sex offender in 2013, when he was jailed for inciting children to engage in sexual activity.

It was because of this conviction that he became subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

But on February 17, 2023, using the name “Liam Williams”, he sent a series of messages on social media to a girl, placing him in breach of the order.

When police attended Griffiths’ home on March 9, 2023, a mobile phone found under a mattress was seized by officers.

Analysis of the phone found that Griffiths had been communicating with four other girls, whom he told he was a 17-year-old, on the internet.

In the case of three of the four girls, the communication was not sexual in nature, brief and garnered little response, though Griffiths did compliment them on their looks.

But communication was sexual with the fourth girl, who was described as being “extremely vulnerable”.

Griffiths complimented her on her cleavage, told her she would be “amazing in bed”, and asked her to send him a “sexy pic”.

In communicating with four of these girls, Griffiths used another name; “Lee Jones” – he had failed to disclose either aliases with police.

One of Griffiths’ victims said his actions have made her feel “unsafe” and “anxious”, adding that she worries about seeing him and suffers nightmares about him.

She said: “I used to enjoy going out with my friends when we were off school. However, now, I second-guess whether to go.

“I never thought it could happen to me.”

Defending Griffiths, who had one previous conviction for two offences, Elen Owen said he has made “full and frank admissions” about his offending behaviour.

Griffiths has, “in his own words”, Ms Owen said, “let himself down”, and “beats himself up about what he’s done”.

“He hasn’t, at any stage, sought to make excuses,” she added.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Saffman criticised the decision to initially bail Griffiths, rather than remand him in custody, as he was at a later date.

Griffiths “should never, ever” have been bailed, Judge Saffman said.

She added: “The impact that’s been caused to her (the victim who gave the aforementioned statement) is as a result of an error made by those who took the decision to bail him.”

An indefinite restraining order was issued, while Judge Saffman ordered all devices seized from Griffiths to be forfeited and destroyed.