A MAN who distributed indecent images of, and engaged in sexual conversation with, children in Kinmel Bay has been jailed.

Jason Kennett-Orpwood, 68, of Brunswood Green, Hawarden, was sentenced to four years and four months’ imprisonment at Caernarfon Crown Court today (September 7).

He had previously admitted 10 charges, including of making and distributing indecent images of children, attempting to engage in sexual conversation with a child, and attempting to cause a boy to engage in sexual activity.

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Prosecuting, Richard Edwards told the court that, in May 2022, North Wales Police was informed that a Twitter account linked to the defendant had uploaded indecent images of children two days after the account was created.

A search warrant was subsequently executed at his address, and indecent images of children, predominantly boys aged 10 to 14, were found.

Analysis of his mobile phone found that Kennett-Orpwood had also used instant messaging platforms WhatsApp and Telegram to share indecent images, and to make sexually explicit conversation.

His Twitter conversation history, meanwhile, included him asking a child if he “had school the next day”, and talking to a 14-year-old boy about his sexual orientation and relationship status.

Kennett-Orpwood was also said to have engaged in “graphic sexually explicit conversation” with other teenage children on Twitter.

He was interviewed by police twice, in May and September 2022, during which he made “significant admissions”.

These included him saying that the sole purpose of his Twitter account was to communicate with like-minded individuals, and confirming that he had a sexual interest in boys aged 12 or older, despite knowing that “it was wrong”.

Kennett-Orpwood had four previous convictions for 11 offences; including for distributing, possessing, and making indecent images in November 2015.

He had previously received a caution, in January 2000, for making indecent images of children.

Defending, Sarah Yates accepted that Kennett-Orpwood faced an “inevitable custodial sentence”, but said he had “co-operated fully” with proceedings.

Kennett-Orpwood had never previously been to custody, and has been caring for his “very unwell” elderly father.

His aim, Ms Yates said, was to serve his prison sentence and be “rehabilitated properly”.

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts also made Kennett-Orpwood adhere to sex offenders register notification requirements for life.

He was also handed a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years, and will pay a statutory surcharge upon his release from prison.

A deprivation order regarding the electronic devices seized by police from Kennett-Orpwood was also made.

Judge Petts told Kennett-Orpwood: “Those like you, who possess, share and distribute such images, are part of a cycle that perpetuates the abuse of children.

“Those who have been abused are always subject to the knowledge that their images are out there, circulating, with absolutely nothing they can do.

“It’s clear that you have a long-standing interest in this sort of activity, and that your previous conviction in 2015 has not done anything to deter you from such illegal activity.”